Drive Electric Minnesota – an organization that promotes electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in charging infrastructure statewide—presents the Zero Emission Charging Challenge (ZECC). ZECC hopes to power all public charging stations with Windsource, Xcel Energy’s renewable energy program. EVs produce no air pollutants, but the electricity necessary for charging exhausts fossil fuels. However, EVs can use either wind or solar power. When paired with renewable energy, EVs eliminate all air pollutants while driving and charging.
Solar-powered EV charging stations already exist in Albert Lea and Austin, as well as in the metro area at Como Park, McMurray Fields, SunRay Library, River Centre, the State Capital, Haaf Ramp, and the Minneapolis Public School Headquarters. Check out this interactive map to find nearby zero emission charging stations. Challenge participants include Macalester College, Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and Hennepin County.
Green power programs offer monthly “blocks” of 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy. Typically, Americans drive 1,000 miles per month and EVs consume 34 kWhs per 100 miles. This rate translates to roughly 340 kWhs per month, which requires four blocks. Sign up for Xcel’s Windsource program.
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