Transportation

Minnesota utility proposes $192M EV charging station network

Image: Adobe Stock.

March 6, 2023

A Minnesota utility's proposal to deploy around 730 EV charging stations while raising rates has encountered opposition from the state department of commerce, rate payers and other parties, according to a startribune.com report.

Opponents of the plan question whether a utility should own such a large network and whether its customers should foot the estimated $192 million cost.

Xcel Energy in Minneapolis proposed the network as part of a larger $333 million rate payer-funded plan to boost EV adoption which includes $63 million for chargers at multi-family buildings and $22 million for electric school bus adoption.

The utility has proposed a 15.4% rate increase to raise $498 million over three years.

The Public Utilities Commission will rule on the proposal.