Hello there! As a Minnesota resident, you may be wondering if an electric vehicle is right for your lifestyle. I live here too, so I wanted to share my in-depth analysis on the pros, cons, costs and considerations around owning an EV in our great state. Buckle up for a breakdown of charging logistics, winter performance impacts, total cost comparisons, and tips to make EV ownership seamless here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!
Why Consider an EV in Minnesota?
First, let‘s level-set on why electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity in Minnesota and across the cold Midwest despite our chilly winters. There are a few key reasons:
Environmental Benefits – On average, EVs produce far fewer lifetime emissions than gas vehicles, even when accounting for Minnesota‘s electricity generation mix. Going electric helps our state work towards ambitious climate goals.
Lower Operating Costs – Between cheaper "fuel" costs from electricity vs. gas and lower maintenance needs, EVs offer notable lifetime savings that offset their higher upfront price tags.
High Performance – Modern EVs boast impressive torque and acceleration. And advances in battery range now allow for practical real-world use without anxiety over finding a charger.
Incentives and Perks – From HOV lane access to pending rebates, Minnesota offers some incentives to spur adoption. And our rapidly expanding charging network makes long distances more feasible.
Clearly there are some excellent reasons to go electric, especially as more models offering the latest technologies and features arrive to market each year. But how do EVs perform here given our extreme winters and remote geography? Let‘s explore further…
Charging Your EV in Minnesota
Charging infrastructure is top of mind for many considering an EV here. Can I easily find chargers on longer trips? How much will it cost to charge near home vs. on the road? What about off-the-beaten-path?
The good news is Minnesota‘s public charging network expands each year thanks to funding from both state and federal initiatives. There are now over 3,100 chargers located statewide, including over 180 DC Fast Chargers critical for enabling longer trips.
Here is a snapshot of Minnesota‘s charging infrastructure growth over the past 5 years:
| Year | Total Charging Stations | DC Fast Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 713 | 55 |
| 2019 | 1,412 | 107 |
| 2020 | 1,986 | 131 |
| 2021 | 2,736 | 163 |
| 2022 | 3,182 | 186 |
Impressive growth indeed! The Twin Cities have the highest concentration, but other regions like Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and Mankato are also well covered with over 20-70 public charging stations each.
While road tripping across very remote parts of Minnesota may still pose some challenges, coverage along major highways and within population centers makes daily charging and in-state destinations very feasible today as the network continues to mature.
Now let‘s talk about paying to charge your EV around Minnesota! There are two main options:
Charging at Home
- Average residential electricity rate: $0.14/kWh
- Full "fill up" cost: $10-15 depending on EV battery size
- Requires installing a Level 2 charger (~$1000 plus electrician fees)
Public Charging
- Average cost around Minnesota: $0.26/kWh
- Full "fill up" cost: $20-35 depending on battery size and station
- Usually pay per session via credit card or apps like ChargePoint
Based on these rates, home charging ends up about half the cost of public stations. However, installation costs for the higher voltage equipment do offset some savings. Convenient overnight charging at home combined with occasional top-offs around town is typically the most affordable approach.
Apps like PlugShare, ChargeHub and others can help you locate stations and confirm real-time status and pricing. Overall Minnesota‘s infrastructure makes EVs very practical, though we still have room to improve off the beaten path.
How Does Cold Weather Impact Electric Vehicle Range?
Alright, let‘s address the elephant in the room…just how much does extreme cold affect EV driving range anyway?
Lithium-ion batteries used in EVs are sensitive to temperature swings. In general, range loss in very cold conditions can be up to 30% compared to moderate weather.
The impact varies based on temperature and windchill severity down to -30°F or below, battery thermal management technologies, battery size, and vehicle aerodynamics. Running heating, seat warmers and defrosters also draw power.
To illustrate the variability, here is a comparison of estimated range loss in -4°F conditions for popular EV models:
| Electric Vehicle Model | Approx. Range Loss at -4°F |
|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 25% |
| Kia Niro EV | 22% |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 20% |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 15% |
| Tesla Model 3 | 10% |
As you can see, the impact spans from moderate to significant depending on the vehicle technology factors mentioned earlier. The core takeaway is that real-world winter range is often 20-30% less than EPA estimates which are conducted at mild temperatures.
While this range loss may sound alarming, there are ways to minimize and manage it…
Preconditioning – Most EVs allow you to pre-heat your battery and cabin while plugged in before departure. Doing so can reduce initial range impacts by warming the systems.
Range Buffer – When planning longer winter trips, budgeting an extra 30% charge buffer is wise in cold conditions.
Drive Slowly – Higher speeds exacerbate range loss in winter more than cold itself. Taking it slow(er) when safe extends range.
There are other cold weather specific features like battery and motor heat pumps that help as well. So while winters here pose unique challenges, with the right preparation EVs can manage pretty well!
Total Cost of Ownership Comparison
At the end of the day, the bottom line cost factors heavily in vehicle purchase decisions. Evaluating EVs next to gas counterparts on a total lifetime cost basis provides helpful context.
Let‘s compare some popular electric and combustion SUV options over a 6 year ownership period with 10k annual miles.
Ford Mustang Mach E AWD vs Ford Explorer XLT AWD
| Category | Mach E | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP (Base Models) | $54,000 | $40,000 |
| Fuel/Electricity Costs* | $5,460 | $15,120 |
| Maintenance Costs** | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| Resale Value @ 6 Years*** | $27,000 | $18,400 |
| Total Cost | $35,460 | $41,220 |
Tesla Model Y AWD vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD
| Category | Model Y | RAV4 Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP (Base Models) | $65,000 | $30,500 |
| Fuel/Electricity Costs* | $7,140 | $8,550 |
| Maintenance Costs** | $2,100 | $3,150 |
| Resale Value @ 6 Years*** | $39,000 | $14,835 |
| Total Cost | $35,240 | $27,365 |
Analysis notes:
*Fuel/electricity costs based on average mileage efficiency and local residential electricity ($0.14/kWh) and regular gasoline ($3.50/gallon) rates
**Maintenance costs include annual checkups & routine replacement parts like brakes, tires, batteries based on manufacturer guidance
***Resale values after 6 years and 60,000 miles based on market analysis from Recurrent Auto for Tesla and standard models from CARFAX
As shown for both comparisons, the electric options have notably lower lifetime ownership costs – about 14-22% cheaper over the 6 year analysis period thanks to far lower "fuel" and maintenance expenses.
Higher MSRPs are offset by economics over time. And in the case of Tesla, strong resale value favors their total cost edge even further. Your mileage will vary based on annual miles driven, length of ownership and projected re-sale timing.
But in aggregate going electric looks quite cost competitive thanks to the simple design and minimal maintenance requirements of EVs balanced against very low electricity costs relative to gas.
Key Takeaways for Owning an EV in Minnesota
Hopefully this guide has shown how electric vehicles can perform well and offer economic savings here despite cold winter conditions. To wrap up, here are my summarized recommendations if considering an EV purchase in Minnesota:
1. Evaluate Total Cost, Not Just Upfront Price – Higher MSRPs mask long term ownership savings from lower electricity and maintenance costs. An extra $10-15k on purchase often pays off over 5+ years of use.
2. Carefully Consider Range Needs with Cold Impacts – Real world range is often 20-30% less than EPA estimates in winter. Budgeting extra buffer on longer trips and features like heat pumps help manage this.
3. Seek Out Purchase Incentives While Available – Between the pending state EV tax credit and existing utility charger rebates, buyer incentives can reduce overall cost a bit more.
4. Install Home Charging for Maximum Savings – With public charging running 2x+ more per kWh, a home charger pays off through far cheaper overnight charging sessions.
While EVs have some unique winter and travel considerations here, the economics, performance and environmental gains can make them perfect for many Minnesota lifestyles. I encourage you to use the insights from this guide to determine if joining our state‘s rapidly growing EV community is right for your situation!
As always, feel free to reach out with any other questions you may have around transitioning to electric. I‘m happy to offer more Minnesota-specific advice.
Jason Stein
EV Analyst and MN Resident
