Minnesota's electric vehicle (EV) charging network is expanding, filling a crucial infrastructure gap despite supply chain hurdles. A recently inaugurated charging station near Interstate 94 in Fergus Falls is set to become one of the largest in the state. Otter Tail Power Company collaborated with Tesla to establish this site, featuring ten fast charging ports capable of accommodating three different charging connectors used on various EV models, according to project manager Luke Meech.

This is part of Otter Tail Power's ambitious plan to build 11 EV charging locations across western Minnesota, stretching from Hallock in the northwest to Lake Benton in the southwest.

"The infrastructure is lacking, and the private investment just isn't going to be there any time soon, and hasn't been there," explained Meech. "Otter Tail really saw an opportunity to try to step in and fill that gap."

The Fergus Falls location, conveniently located off I-94, shares a parking lot with two restaurants and is in close proximity to other eateries. This strategic placement aims not only to facilitate vehicle charging but also to bolster local commerce in rural Minnesota communities.

Building larger and more powerful EV charging sites, particularly along heavily traveled routes, represents a shift in the EV charging landscape.

The Fergus Falls site came at a cost of $750,000, shared with Tesla and partially offset by a $50,000 state grant. However, the project faced an 18-month equipment acquisition process due to supply chain limitations. These challenges are unlikely to ease in the short term, as the utility has been informed of a three-year wait for some electrical transformers essential for powering charging sites.

Despite these hurdles, Otter Tail Power Company plans to have at least six more charging stations operational in smaller western Minnesota communities by year's end. Jason Grenier, Otter Tail's retail energy solutions manager, views public charging stations as a "loss leader" aimed at instilling consumer confidence in electric vehicles.

"Eighty to 90 percent of charging happens in the home, and that's where the revenue comes from," Grenier stated. "But for the charging to happen in the home, the person has to buy the vehicle, which means there has to be public charging available."

Source: mprnews.org