St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) approved several proposals from Xcel Energy for new and existing electric vehicle (EV) pilots and programs. These investments will help ensure current programs and pilots continue to expand and remain cost effective while allowing new initiatives to move forward.

The Commission considered and approved several proposals, specifically:

• EV Subscription Service – transform existing pilot program into a permanent program and merge it with EV Accelerated at Home to create a monthly subscription fee-based program designed to make off-peak EV charging easier to understand and costs consistent from month-to-month.
• New EV School Bus Vehicle-to-Grid Demonstration – funding for two sites to help districts incorporate electric school buses. In addition to student transportation, Xcel will study the cost and benefits to the electric grid of using the busses’ battery storage and discharge capabilities when not in use.
• Bridge Funding for Fleet Services and Public Charging Pilots – funding will allow Xcel to add up to 91 more projects to the program.
• Expansion of Residential Advisory Services – supports EV educational and informational resources for consumers.

“The Commission approved investments that will make it easier for Minnesotans to adopt electric vehicles at their homes, at their businesses, and at our schools,” said Commission Chair Katie Sieben. “The programs enable more EV adoption and help Minnesota move closer to statewide environmental and energy goals.”

Xcel is required to file its next transportation electrification plan (TEP) on Nov. 1, 2025.

A TEP is a forward-looking document where investor-owned utilities detail how they will work to electrify Minnesota’s transportation sector. TEPs are submitted at least every four years. The Commission began requiring TEPs in 2019.

About