Feasibility Report: Electric Vehicle Car-Sharing Program for Use by Low and Mid Income Communities in North-Central Minnesota, USA

Abstract

Carsharing programs have been developed and improved by researchers and scientists throughout the past few decades and have developed into a viable alternative vehicle-use method. Carsharing reduces the need for private vehicle ownership, in turn reducing vehicle purchase and maintenance costs to individuals and families. According to one program study in New York, through replacing routine personal car trips with use of a carshare program, families saved an average of $154 to $435 per month. These cost benefits are true across the board, but are especially present when considering rural mileage. Electric carsharing programs have begun emerging over the past decade, which save users money otherwise spent on fuel, as well as reduce environmental impact through the use of electric zero-emission vehicles. Now is an important time to pay attention to electric vehicles, as they are quickly integrating into consumer culture with the current Presidential administration announcing a plan to implement 500,000 L3 chargers nationally in the next decade . Currently, the state of Minnesota currently has 1,192 publicly available charging sites.

Nearly 35% of the region has either one or zero vehicle access. Nearly 35% of the population is a cost-burden household (30% of income goes toward rent/housing payment). Including over 50% of renters. 13% of Beltrami County citizens live in severely cost burdened households (when 50% or more of income goes toward rent/housing payment). 43% of Bemidji, last of the 99 largest MN cities, in cost burden households. Cost burden results in less money available for transportation; less transportation results in a reduced quality of life. Reducing the barriers to access of sufficient transportation is important, especially because rural communities can be ‘left behind’ in technological advancement. This feasibility study investigates the possibility for the implementation of an electric rural vehicle sharing program in north central Minnesota. Included in this study are potential operation models, funding models, and implementation recommendations. A graduate researcher from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities conducted this feasibility study in cooperation with the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP) through the University of Minnesota Extension, and the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) staff. The HRDC is a quasi-government agency that serves communities in the counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of The Woods, and Mahnomen. The study will be a product for the Headwaters Regional Transportation Coordination Council, a MnDOT funded program to improve accessibility and mobility for transportation disadvantaged individuals. RSDP Supports localized sustainability projects through the partnerships of communities and the University of Minnesota. Energy resources have been provided through Clean Energy Resource Teams, an organization committed to helping increase energy sustainability in Minnesota. Research methods included collecting information and data from similar studies, conducting internet surveys, and conducting informational interviews with industry professionals and community members.