Electric vehicles are coming to Minnesota. Republicans and Democrats have very different ideas on

[TexasTowelie]

Electric vehicles are coming to Minnesota. Republicans and Democrats have very different ideas on how state government should respond.


Electric vehicles make up a tiny fraction of cars in Minnesota. But that is going to change.

Auto manufacturers are increasingly focused on EVs over gas-powered cars, while state and federal lawmakers across the U.S. are promoting EVs as part of a push to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector.

In Minnesota, lawmakers are debating a host of changes to state law to prepare for the rise of electric vehicles. But so far in 2021, Republicans who control the Minnesota Senate and Democrats who have a majority in the House have found little common ground on how the state should react to the burgeoning industry.

The GOP has focused on making EV owners pay a substitute fee in place of Minnesota’s gas tax, which pays for road construction; they also want to remove Gov. Tim Walz’s power to set new auto emission standards. DFLers have proposed rebates for electric cars, and hope to prod state government to buy more EVs, fund the purchase of electric buses in the Twin Cities and to put charging stations in state parks.

Read more: https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2021/03/electric-vehicles-are-coming-to-minnesota-republicans-and-democrats-have-very-different-ideas-on-how-state-government-should-respond/

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Truly a Party of Senile Neanderthals. nt

[progree]

2. MN: Biodiesel, not electric, buses may join Metro Transit fleet, Mar 3, 2021

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/vehicles/gas-diesel-cng-lng/news/21212477/mn-biodiesel-not-electric-buses-may-join-metro-transit-fleet

Next week, the Metropolitan Council will consider spending $122 million to buy more than 140 transit buses powered by biodiesel fuel — not electricity. The 60-foot buses would be part of Metro Transit's fleet, including the Orange Line and the B and D lines, new bus rapid transit lines in the works.

Metro Transit vowed in 2018 to electrify its entire fleet of buses, a move cheered by a coalition of environmental and social justice groups.

The 143 buses that may be purchased by the council would be powered by biodiesel fuel, which is a mixture of diesel gas, soybean byproducts and animal fats.

Metro Transit has already deployed eight electric buses on the C line, rapid bus service that began in 2019 and connects Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center. But the pilot project unearthed several challenges with electric bus charging technology.

Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra also noted the new biodiesel buses are more appropriate for bus rapid transit lines and commuter routes because they tend serve a bigger area. Adopting a charging infrastructure for these areas might prove challenging, he said.

[MichMan]

3. Why do so many electric vehicle advocates think they shouldn't pay their fair share for roads?

Everyone else should be responsible for taxes that fund infrastructure other than them?

Also, if electric vehicles are as economical and advantageous as they are, why do they need subsidies?

I drive a 9 year old 4 cylinder Volkswagen. Let some one with the $$$ to buy a new Tesla pay for it themselves.

[progree]

4. If EVs results in less carbon emissions, even including from the electric supply from a somewhat

dirty grid (that must be included too), doesn't that count for something? Mauna Loa and all that?

How about a hefty carbon tax (including on electricity in accordance with the amount of carbon emissions involved in that)?

Environment & Energy group