Minnesota Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives

State Incentives

Idle Reduction Technology Loan Program

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Small Business Environmental Improvement Loan Program provides low-interest loans to qualified small businesses to finance environmental projects such as capital equipment upgrades that meet or exceed environmental regulations, including idle reduction technologies.

State Laws and Regulations

Clean Energy Collaborative

The Governor's Clean Energy Technology Collaborative (Collaborative) was created for experts to discuss issues that impact the development of new clean energy technologies that utilize Minnesota expertise, Minnesota resources, and benefit Minnesota by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Collaborative provides the Governor with advice and recommendations on matters relating to advances in technology and research in order to achieve Minnesota's long-term clean energy goals, including reducing GHG emissions by 80% by 2050 and generating 25% of Minnesota energy from renewable energy resources by the year 2025. (Reference Executive Order 08-04, 2008)

Idle Reduction Weight Exemption

In order to promote the reduction of fuel use and emissions, the maximum gross vehicle weight and axle weight limits for any motor vehicle equipped with idle reduction or emissions-reduction technologies must be increased by the weight of the equipment, not to exceed 400 pounds. The vehicle operator must provide documentation that the vehicle was installed with qualified equipment. (Reference Senate File 1876, 2009, and Minnesota Statutes 169.824)

Idle Reduction Regulation - Minneapolis

Vehicles are not permitted to idle for more than three consecutive minutes in any one-hour period. However, vehicles designed to operate on highways that load and unload may not idle for a period greater than 30 minutes in any one-hour period while loading or unloading at a location under the control of the owner or operator; these vehicles may not idle for more than five minutes in any one-hour period while not loading or unloading. Exemptions related to factors including traffic, passenger comfort, and emergency vehicles apply. (Reference Minneapolis Code of Ordinances Title 3, Sections 58.30, 58.40)