How Minnesota’s electric car progress compares to the U.S., in three charts

Minnesota drivers have been slow to adopt electric cars, but a potential new Tesla sales center and the state’s forthcoming clean car rule could accelerate the shift.

Electric cars accounted for fewer than 0.4% of registered vehicles in Minnesota last year, according to the state Department of Transportation. Although electric vehicles are less harmful for the environment and can be cheaper long-term than gas-burning cars, drawbacks like shorter driving ranges, high up-front costs and limited numbers of charging stations have stymied electric vehicle sales here.

A planned new salesroom in Bloomington that’s likely a Tesla facility, according to Axios, could entice more car shoppers to go electric and give prospective buyers more options. Electric car availability is limited in Minnesota compared to some states — especially those with low- and zero-emission vehicle rules — which is one reason we have relatively few electric vehicles on the road, experts say.

Minnesota’s clean car rules will also likely spur electric car sales when they go into effect in 2024. The rules, modeled after California policy, will require manufacturers to offer more low- and zero-emissions vehicles for sale here. Other states with zero-emissions standards have experienced faster electric car adoption. 

Here’s more on electric cars in Minnesota, in three charts.