Actually, it's a great time to buy an electric vehicle

Yahoo

08-04-2025

New EVs average over 280 miles of range. Photo by Getty Images.
In early February, the news that many of us in the electric vehicle space had been bracing for came to pass: the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure grant program was paused. It had promised $5 billion to build a much-needed public, fast charging network. This freeze of federal EV charging infrastructure funds dismayed the auto industry and EV advocates alike.
Automakers, charging companies and even gas stations have called for restoring the grant program, which would have provided Minnesota with $68 million for public charging stations.
But amidst the disappointing news is a lesser known reality: this setback barely impacts the practicality of driving electric in Minnesota right now.
The rising popularity of EVs in Minnesota is hard to deny. Walk or drive around, and you're likely to spot several different electric models, whether it's a Rivian pick-up, a Hyundai Ioniq SUV, or the ever-ubiquitous Tesla sedans. EV sales reached roughly 7.6% of all new passenger vehicles in Minnesota in 2024, and there are more than 65,000 EVs on Minnesota's roads. Many Minnesotans are interested in making the switch to electric.
Public charging stations, which make operating an EV more accessible and convenient, have been proliferating too. Since 2022, the number of fast-charging ports has more than doubled, while Level 2 charging increased over 60%.
How is this possible? It's not just federal dollars at work building out our public charging network. Much of this charging infrastructure growth comes from a mix of sources, including private investments, utilities and government. These funding sources will continue to invest in public charging in Minnesota. So while the loss of federal funding is a blow, it's far from a death knell for EV charging.
That's also because juicing up an EV is much different than gassing up an internal combustion engine.
Instead of driving to the gas station to fill up, most owners plug their EV in at home and let their vehicle charge overnight — just like a cell phone— and start each day with a full 'tank.'
Plugging in at home like this is a much better experience than driving to a gas station. This simple reality also transforms the 'range anxiety' concern that prospective buyers often have, since much of our charging will be done at home. Couple that with the fact that 97% of driving trips are under 50 miles — while new EVs average over 280 miles of range — and it's no wonder that more Minnesotans are buying EVs.
For two-car households, the solution is even simpler: Keep a gas vehicle for occasional long trips while enjoying the quieter, cheaper and lower-maintenance EV for daily driving.
With over 100 new EV models available, in addition to more affordable used options and leasing terms, Minnesotans have now more choices.
We estimate there are over 60,000 home chargers in garages across the state, and there are about 2,300 public charging station ports available.
While home charging is a cornerstone of easy EV ownership, we do recognize it's not available for everyone. Renters or those in apartment or condo buildings face real barriers to installing EV charging where they live, making it harder and more expensive to use an EV. But state policymakers, electric utilities, charging infrastructure companies and EV advocates are actively working to solve this challenge through targeted programs. And our growing public charging network will help too.
The bottom line: Don't let federal funding headlines discourage you from switching to an EV.
Minnesota's charging infrastructure will continue to grow through private investment, utility programs, and state support. The EV transition is charging ahead.