EV Spot Network, the largest publicly owned electric vehicle initiative in the US, began operations in Saint Paul and Minneapolis on 2 February 2022.
The public-private partnership includes renewable electric infrastructure from Xcel Energy alongside a carshare fleet from the City of Saint Paul and Evie Carshare, which will be operated by a local non-profit.
The initiative aims to make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible to everyone in the Twin Cities region, covering a 35-mile service area.
The 100% renewably powered on-street EV Spots can be used to charge private electric vehicles, as well as the new Evie Carshare vehicles. Each EV Spot Charging location has two dedicated parking spaces for personal vehicles and two spaces for Evie Carshare vehicles.
Sean Kershaw, Director of the City of Saint Paul Public Works, said:This network of chargers and carshare is here to support electric vehicle usage for all residents and visitors. With a robust charging infrastructure, Saint Paul and Minneapolis will be a welcoming place for people driving EVs and those who need a convenient way to get around town.
The first EV Spot locations are now available for public use in Saint Paul at Sherburne & Dale Street and Margaret Street & E 7th Street. In Minneapolis, they are operational at Colfax & Hennepin Avenue, Chicago & Franklin Avenue, and 13th Avenue SE & 4th Street SE.
Once all 70 EV Spot Charging locations are activated, the number of public charging ports in the Twin Cities will have increased by 50%.
The EV Spot Network therefore responds to a growing demand for public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The project is a significant investment in EV technology, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase reliance on renewable energy to make the air quality cleaner and healthier in Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Evie Carshare also aims to prioritise convenience and affordability for its users. The rate structure includes a qualified low-income plan, while full-price options are approximately half the cost of carshare services elsewhere in the US.
The Evie Carshare fleet currently contains 101 electric cars, which is set to increase to 171 electric vehicles.
