Description
EV Spot Network and electric vehicle charging
We plan to make electric transportation options fair and accessible for all. We will do this by:
- Expanding the existing EV Spot Network. This is a series of chargers across Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
- Maintaining and improving current chargers. These chargers, through an agreement with Xcel Energy, are all powered from renewable sources.
These chargers serve privately owned electric vehicles and the EVIE car share network. Adding new charging sites helps us to reach more neighborhoods. This is especially important in areas with multi-family housing and limited EV charging opportunities. Each new site also grows the EVIE car share network. This adds more neighborhoods where people can use EVIE service.
By making charging more affordable and available in places without private charging, we make it easier for people to start using electric vehicles. Growing the EVIE car share network service area also gives people another option besides owning a car.
The initial network was built with grant funding in partnership with the City of Saint Paul. But from now on, maintaining current and adding new sites will need direct funding. Our ability to grow depends on that funding availability. It will be important to responsibly grow, knowing that each new site adds more costs to operate.
What we’re doing now
We are looking at ways to expand and grow the EV Spot Network, which would also grow the EVIE service area. We have collected an inventory of spare parts, and cables to help predict maintenance expenses and speed up repair timelines. We’re also working on making the chargers easier to use. For example, adding the option to pay for charging using the MPLS Parking App.
Learn more about the EVIE car share network and how to sign up