Drive Electric Minnesota and Plug In America are presenting a free webinar series focused on accelerating electric transportation adoption in 2021, in partnership with Xcel Energy and the Sustainable Growth Coalition.
In the six-part webinar series (December 1-4, 2020) attendees will learn about several electric vehicle (EV) policy and implementation topics, including:
- basics and benefits of EVs
- how Minnesota can become a leader in transportation electrification
- policies to implement at the state, city, fleet, and workplace levels
- how the state can overcome the remaining barriers to greater EV adoption
There is also a chance to “drive” electric in our virtual ride and drive webinar!
Each webinar has a different focus with different audiences in mind. We encourage you to attend the webinars that align with your interests. Details about each webinar, including how to register, is provided below.
The Role of Cities and Counties in Transportation Electrification
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT
Who should attend: City and county officials and staff.
As Minnesota’s transportation sector moves toward more electrification, cities and counties have a unique role to play. In addition to installing charging infrastructure, cities should adopt building codes, explore right-of-way charging policies, coordinate with the state on electric vehicle signage, and much more.
This webinar will answer the following questions:
- What policies should cities adopt?
- What unique role do cities play?
- Which Minnesota cities are leading the way on policy adoption?
Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions to our experts during breakout sessions.
Featured speakers:
- Brian Ross, Great Plains Institute
- Dean Taylor, Plug In America
- Diana McKeown, MetroCERT
- Hon. Charlie Zelle, Metropolitan Council
- Katherine Stainken, Plug In America
The 101 on Electric Vehicles for Minnesota
Tuesday, December 1, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT
Who should attend: Prospective electric vehicle (EV) drivers, new EV drivers, and anyone that wants to learn more about EVs.
This introduction to electrified transportation gives attendees the basics about EVs, including information on where and how to charge them and the latest market developments. It also covers the economic and environmental benefits of electric transportation and how the state can overcome the remaining barriers to greater EV adoption.
Featured speakers:
- Brendan Jordan, Great Plains Institute
- Jukka Kukkonen, Shift2Electric
- Katherine Stainken, Plug In America
- Kevin Schwain, Xcel Energy
- Laura Andrews, Plug In America
- Lisa Thurstin, Twin Cities Clean Cities Coalition and EV driver
Experience Electric Vehicles in a Virtual Test Drive
Tuesday, December 1, 2:15-3:00 p.m. CT
Who should attend: Prospective electric vehicle (EV) drivers, new EV drivers, and anyone that wants to learn more about EVs.
This virtual test drive experience will show off three different EVs and their features. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with EV and understand the joy, power, and quiet of driving electric, right from their own home.
Featured speakers:
- Katherine Stainken, Plug In America
- Laura Andrews, Plug In America
- Lisa Thurstin, Michael Bearfoot, and Brian Anderson, EV Drivers
How Minnesota Can Lead on Transportation Electrification in 2021
Thursday, December 3, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. CT
Who should attend: Legislators and legislative staff, agency staff, regulators, and advocates of transportation electrification (e.g., businesses, utilities, transit agencies, NGOs, etc.)
Minnesota has taken some steps to advance transportation electrification in recent years, but much more needs to be done in 2021. To lead and reach the state’s vision of 20 percent light-duty electric vehicles by 2030, Minnesota will need to adopt supportive policies at the executive, regulatory, and legislative levels.
Attendees will learn which policies Minnesota can adopt in 2021 and the benefits of an accelerated transition to transportation electrification in the state. This webinar is geared towards legislators, agency staff, regulators, and others in the transportation electrification advocacy community.
Featured speakers:
- Brendan Jordan, Great Plains Institute
- Commissioner Laura Bishop, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Dean Taylor, Plug In America
- Katherine Stainken, Plug In America
- Representative Jamie Long, Minnesota House of Representatives
- Representative Zack Stephensen, Minnesota House of Representatives
- Senator David Senjem, Minnesota Senate
- Tim Sexton, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Economic Development Opportunities for Minnesota from the Transportation Electrification Sector
Thursday, December 3, 1:00-2:30 p.m. CT
Who should attend: Legislators and legislative staff, agency staff, regulators, and advocates of transportation electrification (e.g., businesses, utilities, transit agencies, NGOs, etc.)
As Minnesota recovers from the COVID pandemic, the electric transportation future can offer numerous economic benefits such as:
- supporting existing electric vehicle (EV) jobs,
- attracting EV manufacturing jobs and additional indirect jobs associated with the sector, and
- small businesses investing in chargers to attract customers and tourists
This panel discussion features experts who will speak to these benefits for Minnesota, and what supportive policies the state needs to establish itself as a leader in transportation electrification. There will also be a breakout session to further explore topics.
Featured speakers:
- Bree Halverson, BlueGreen Alliance
- Dan Lipschultz, former Commissioner, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
- David Ranallo, Great River Energy
- Dean Taylor, Plug In America
- Jamez Staples, Renewable Energy Partners
- Nikolas Soulopoulos, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
- Steve Grove, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Aditya Ranade, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Amy Fredregill, Sustainable Growth Coalition
Expanding Charging for Minnesota Fleets, Workplaces, Multi-Unit Dwellings, and Public Locations
Friday, December 4, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. CT
Who should attend: Businesses and state agencies that have or are thinking about adding charging for fleets, employees, general public, and multi-family buildings; property owners/managers; the general public; transit agencies; and advocates of transportation electrification.
As the transportation sector becomes more electric, businesses have a unique role to play. This webinar will cover the following:
- incentives to help build charging infrastructure
- main considerations for building charging infrastructure for fleets, workplaces, public locations, and large apartments and condos
- how Minnesota compares to other states in developing charging infrastructure
Featured speakers:
- Anders Thulin, Siemens
- Bill Black, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
- Carrie Desmond, Metro Transit
- Dean Taylor, Plug In America
- Jordan Baynard, Ecolab
- Jukka Kukkonen, Shift2Electric
- Kevin Schwain, Xcel Energy
- Marcus Grubbs, Minnesota Department of Administration
- Nadia El Mallakh, Xcel Energy
- Siri Simons, Minnesota Department of Transportation