1. Common Myths and Perceived Barriers

2. “EVs Don't Pay Their Share of Taxes”
Gas is taxed at 28.5 cents per gallon in Minnesota, which pays for roads and maintenance but is only 45% of total road funding
PHEVs still buy gas and therefore pay the tax
All BEVs in MN pay an annual $75 fee 
EVs pay MORE than the total taxes payed by an internal combustion engine (ICE) car over 10 years because of registration taxes being based on vehicle price
Learn more at

3. “EV batteries don’t work in winter”
Winter does slightly reduce the range of EV batteries, around 30%
Some of the loss can be mitigated by managing climate control in the vehicle
EVs have some advantages in winter—they will always start. 
Scandinavia is the most proliferated EV market (and it’s cold there)

4. “EVs do not have enough traction for winter”
More all-wheel drive EVs are coming to market each year
Consumer Reports claims that using snow tires matters significantly more than 2WD vs. 4WD in breaking, turning, and accelerating in snow
Source for tire testing:

5. "Public Safety Equipment Will Drain the Battery, Therefore They Can't Be EVs"
Idling reduction technology (IRT) is being used to reduce idling and save fuel, with electronics powered by auxiliary battery
Columbus, OH installed IRTs in 90 of their police vehicles
Reduced idling 34%, with fuel savings of $315,000 in the first year
Vehicle and equipment function completely normal, car shuts off when idling and uses auxiliary battery to power equipment
For more information on City of Columbus IRT in police vehicles, check out: 
City of Columbus

6. “EVs are Only Commuter Cars”
Unless you drive 300+ miles a day, you’re good to go all-electric! PHEVs handle even the busiest days!
These numbers don’t factor into account charging on route or stopping to charge. If you charge during the day, you can extend these ranges even further!

7. “EVs are Coal Cars”
An analysis done by GPI found that electric vehicles in Minnesota provide a greenhouse gas reduction of at least 61% in most cases and up to 95% in many!
Utilities also often offer renewable only options!
Link to the analysis piece done by GPI:

8. “Batteries Create an Environmental Hazard”
Battery recycling technology continues to improve
In 2019 the Department of Energy launched its first EV recycling plant
Batteries can easily be repurposed for energy storage
More information about the DoE recycling project:
Insideevs.com

9. “There is Not Enough Charging Infrastructure”
PlugShare estimates that there are over 350 Level 2 and DCFC stations in MN alone!
All major highway corridors in MN have DCFC available 
Since most charging happens at home, you only need public charging for long days

10. “The Grid Can’t Handle EVs”
80% of charging happens at night, when the grid demand is lowest
Renewables pair very well with EVs and can distribute peak loads
All public utilities are required to have an EV plan in place

11. Thank You! Diana McKeown MetroCERT Director dmckeown@gpisd.net
Instructions: This slide deck is meant to provide you with the necessary resources and talking points you need to educate fleet managers and others about electric vehicles in your community. To use these slides in your own presentation, simply copy and paste the slides you would like to use.
Attribution: This content has been authored and compiled by the Great Plains Institute—credit in any presentation of these slides is not necessary but would be greatly appreciated.
Diana McKeown
MetroCERT Director
Kris Acuña
Project Assistant