Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Requirements

EVSE installed in Minnesota must: 1) be able to be used by any make, model, or type of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV); 2) comply with state safety standards and standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers; and 3) be capable of bi-directional charging once electrical utilities achieve a cost-effective ability to draw electricity from PEVs connected to the utility grid. These requirements may not apply if the installations require significant upgrades. (Reference Minnesota Statutes 325F.185 and 326B.35)

Authorization for Biofuel Incentive

The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Program may offer grants, loans, or other financial incentives to alternative fuel retailers for the installation of ethanol blender pumps or other rural economic infrastructure activities, or to producers of transportation fuels from cellulosic material or bio-based products. The program will remain in effective through June 30, 2025, with funding subject to legislative appropriation. (Reference Minnesota Statutes 41A.12)

Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) Advisory Council and Support

The Governor's Advisory Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles (Advisory Council) was established to study, assess, and prepare for widespread adoption of CAVs, and provide advice and support to the governor, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), and the Department of Public Safety. The Advisory Council must meet at least four times annually to discuss advancements in CAV technologies, evaluate potential partnerships to prepare for the adoption of CAVs, and propose laws and regulations to safely test and implement CAVs.

The Advisory Council published a report in December 2018 that recommends changes to statutes, rules, and policies related to CAVs. Report recommendations include funding pilot projects to ensure that CAV technology is safely implemented, developing laws to adapt to CAVs, prioritizing equitable implementation of CAVs, and conducting public education and outreach on CAVs. The Advisory Council must review the December 2018 report and implement recommendations in the report where appropriate. The Advisory Council must also prepare an annual report for the governor by February 1, 2020, and every year thereafter, with updates on the activities and actions need to ensure Minnesota is advancing CAVs.

MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety will establish guidelines for development, testing, and deployment of CAV technologies, and will support safe and effective testing and use at every level of autonomy, including driverless technology. MnDOT will form the Interagency CAV Team to implement the tasks outlined above.

For more information, see the MnDOT CAVs website.

(Reference Executive Order 19-18, 2019)