In 2020, the US Department of Energy awarded the American Lung Association and Minnesota Clean Cities Coalition funding for the Twin Cities Electric Vehicle Community Mobility Network Project. In 2023, we received additional funding for a new project that will expand this work into more of the east side of Saint Paul through a community-driven process.
The objective of the Twin Cities Electric Vehicle Community Mobility Network is to deploy electric vehicle charging equipment and electric vehicles (EVs) in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and surrounding suburbs. The project also hosts ride and drives and other outreach and education efforts, creating a community-focused mobility network that reduces barriers to EV adoption.
The project consists of three parts, outlined below.
Evie Carshare Service: This program provides an affordable, free-floating EV carsharing service in the Twin Cities. Over 150 EVs are leased by the City of Saint Paul and contracted to HOURCAR, a local carsharing nonprofit, to operate the fleet. This service increases access to EVs at convenient locations. The Evie Carshare program was designed in part with residents in the neighborhoods covered by the EV Spot Network.
EV Spot Charging: A system of 70 level 2 EV charging hubs on public roadways in a 35 square mile area of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Each charging hub is available for users to plug in Evie carshare vehicles as well as privately owned EVs. EV Spot Charging locations were selected to increase access to EVs in historically disinvested neighborhoods.
Multifamily Project: This pilot program will add charging stations and shared EVs at 15 or more multifamily properties, focusing on affordable housing sites. The project aims to increase electric mobility options for residents at income levels that have been traditionally underserved while also decreasing barriers to building out EV charging stations at multifamily dwellings.
PROJECT PARTNERS
City of Saint Paul
City of Minneapolis
East Metro Strong
HOURCAR
Xcel Energy
East Saint Paul Expansion
With new funding awarded to us in 2023, the original project partners will work together with four neighborhood organizations to engage community members on the east side of Saint Paul. The engagement will help identify locations for ten new EV Spot charging sites, which will expand the Evie Carshare service territory to new areas. In addition, EV carsharing hubs will be established at five stations along the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit system set to open in 2025.
Joining this project are Dayton’s Bluff Community Council, Greater East Side Community Council, Payne-Phalen Community Council, and Southeast Community Organization.