Minnesota
What you need to know about Minnesota's EV rebates
Wednesday is the first day Minnesotans will be able to apply for a rebate for purchasing an electric vehicle.
The Legislature designated funding last year for the rebate program, which is finally rolling out this week. The state Department of Commerce will start accepting applications at 10 a.m. Feb. 7.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you apply.
Why is the state offering these rebates now?
The rebate program was part of a suite of bills the Minnesota Legislature passed last session to address climate change.
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The transportation sector is now the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota. Right now, EVs make up less than 1 percent of vehicles on the road in Minnesota, and state lawmakers want to increase that percentage.
“The state is doing this to incentivize the clean energy transition, particularly the transition in the vehicle space for our cars and light trucks,” said Peter Wyckoff, assistant commissioner for federal and state energy initiatives at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. “One way to get folks to move faster in adopting this new technology is to offer economic incentives.”
The Legislature authorized funding for the rebates last year, but it’s taken awhile for the commerce department to get the program ready to launch.
How much are the rebates, and who’s eligible?
Both new and used electric vehicles purchased or leased on or after May 25, 2023, are eligible.
For new vehicles, the rebates are up to $2,500. For used vehicles, it’s up to $600.
There are no income eligibility requirements. Each person can get up to one rebate per year. Businesses, nonprofits and government entities also are eligible for one rebate per fiscal year.
A Nissan Leaf is parked in the garage of a home in Wayzata, Minn.
Ben Hovland | MPR News 2023
Are there limits on the type of EV you can buy?
Yes, a few. It must be either an electric vehicle or a plug-in electric hybrid. The vehicle must be titled in Minnesota.
Also, there’s a cap on how much vehicles can cost. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price must be $55,000 or less for new vehicles, not including taxes and fees. For used vehicles, the purchase price must be $25,000 or less.
Aren’t there already federal EV incentives available?
Yes. The federal government offers tax credits for EVs of up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used EVs. There’s also a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of installing a home EV charger, up to $1,000.
That means new EV buyers could get a combined $10,000 in incentives, said Diana McKeown, co-director of the Clean Energy Resource Teams at the nonprofit Great Plains Institute.
“That’s pretty significant,” she said. “That really makes it much more affordable for a lot of families that might not have considered an electric vehicle because of that upfront cost.”
Keep in mind that the state and federal programs have different rules for which cars and light trucks qualify. The state is less restrictive than federal.
Will the state rebates make the cost of an EV comparable to a gas-powered vehicle?
It’s possible, depending on what make and model of EV you buy.
The price of electric vehicles has been falling for a while. In some cases, the federal tax rebate alone already made the cost of some EV models cheaper than their gas-powered counterparts, Wyckoff said.
“There are certainly situations with the lower-end cost models from Tesla and the lower-end cost models like the Chevy Volt, where it’s been the cheaper car to go electric than to stick with gas already,” he said.
There are the long-term costs to consider, such as not having to buy gas. The cost of charging an EV are typically less than what you pay per month for gasoline, depending on how much you drive. Also, EVs tend to require less maintenance over their lifetime.
How long will the rebates be available?
Probably not long. State lawmakers set aside about $10.6 million for the rebates this fiscal year and $5.2 million next year. The rebates will be available until June 30, 2027, or until the funding runs out.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce doesn’t know exactly how many they’ll be able to give out, because they don’t know the mix of people who will apply for the $2,500 rebates for new vehicles, or the $600 rebates for used vehicles.
But if everyone in Minnesota who bought an EV since last May applied for a rebate, the money would be gone very quickly — likely within weeks or even days. It’s possible state lawmakers will consider adding more money to the program, but there’s no guarantee.
The key takeaway is don’t wait. If you already bought an EV recently or you’re thinking about buying one, act now so you don’t miss out.
“It’s going to be a competition for getting in there and getting your rebate in right away,” McKeown said.
An EV charging station in Minneapolis is pictured on Thursday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News 2023
How do you apply?
Go to Minnesota Department of Commerce website at mn.gov/EVrebates. It contains information about the program and how to create an account.
To apply, you’ll need a current driver’s license. If you’re a homeowner, you’ll also need your most recent electric utility bill. Renters need a lease agreement from the time of their EV purchase.
Also, you’ll need a purchase agreement or lease for your electric vehicle. If you own a used EV and you don’t have the purchase agreement, the website lists alternative documentation.
Minnesota
Shorthanded Clippers can’t keep pace with Anthony Edwards and Minnesota
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 and the surging Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Clippers 94-88 on Thursday night.
Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 12 points and Rudy Gobert had 13 rebounds to help the Timberwolves improve to 5-1 since Feb. 9 and 3-1 since the All-Star break.
Edwards, returning to the site of the All-Star Game, where he was the MVP, was 12 for 24 from the floor and sealed the victory with a step-back three-pointer over two defenders for a 92-88 lead with 42.9 seconds left.
Minnesota improved to 2-0 on a three-game trip.
Derrick Jones Jr. scored 18 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 14 for the Clippers, who struggled from the outset with a season-low 38 points in the first half. Kris Dunn had 11 points for the Clippers (27-31), who have lost three consecutive games for the first time since December.
The Clippers struggled on offense without star Kawhi Leonard, out because of ankle soreness. The Clippers shot 40.5% from the floor, including 18.2% (four for 22) in the second quarter. Minnesota shot 43.4% in the game.
The Timberwolves (37-23) scored just 15 points in the second quarter and still topped the Clippers, who had 11. Minnesota led 44-38 at halftime behind 12 points from DiVincenzo and 11 from Edwards.
The Clippers led by six in the third quarter and were up 68-63 heading into the fourth. Edwards’ drive and reverse layup put the Timberwolves up for good at 76-74 with 7:40 remaining.
The Clippers pulled within one three times in the last 2½ minutes, but Edwards answered each time. He scored the Timberwolves’ last nine points.
Up next for Clippers: vs. New Orleans on Sunday night.
Minnesota
Church congregant filed lawsuit against alleged Minnesota church protesters
A St. Paul church member has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a group of individuals, including journalist Don Lemon and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, unlawfully disrupted service last month as part of a coordinated political demonstration.
The complaint, filed by Ann Doucette in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, alleges that a Jan. 18 demonstration at Cities Church interfered with her ability to worship and caused her to suffer damages, including emotional distress and trauma.
In addition to the former CNN anchor and Armstrong, the complaint names journalist Georgia Fort and activists Will Kelly, Jerome Richardson, Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy. It also names St. Paul school board member Chauntyll Allen.
Doucette and seven of the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Doucette filed the complaint without the representation of an attorney. In an emailed statement to NBC News, Crews denied the lawsuit’s allegations “with empathy and compassion.”
The lawsuit accuses the group of civil conspiracy, aiding and abetting, intentional infliction of emotional distress, interference with religious exercise and trespassing.
“As a result of Defendants’ actions, the worship service was disrupted, congregants experienced fear and distress, and Plaintiff’s ability to freely exercise her religion in a private place of worship was unlawfully interfered with,” the lawsuit states.
All eight defendants are also facing federal charges for conspiracy against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and for interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom. Lemon has pleaded not guilty to all charges, saying outside the court, “I wanted to say this isn’t just about me, this is about all journalists, especially in the United States.”
Fort, Crews and Lundy were released on bond and entered not guilty pleas, according to The Associated Press.
This is the latest legal action tied to protests in the Twin Cities, where tensions remain over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
According to the lawsuit, the demonstrators engaged in “coordinated conduct” by organizing meetings ahead of the “Operation Pullup” protest and promoting it on social media.
The lawsuit alleges that on the morning of Jan. 18, a coordinated group of individuals entered Cities Church, halting the worship service, and chanting “‘ICE Out!’ and ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!’” while obstructing aisles. Protesters could allegedly be seen “confronting the pastor and congregants in a menacing manner,” the lawsuit says, noting that their chanting and “aggressive gestures” caused “severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety, and trauma” and caused children “terror.”
Demonstrators gathered at the church because they said its pastor, David Easterwood, was the acting director of an ICE field office in the city, the lawsuit says.
Lemon was arrested in January in California and accused of violating federal civil rights law after covering the protest on Jan. 18. He was released on a personal recognizance bond before a federal grand jury in Minnesota returned the indictment against Lemon and eight co-defendants, all of whom are also named in Doucette’s lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, Doucette alleges that Lemon specifically livestreamed the protest, “noting congregants’ fear and distress, and appeared to take satisfaction in the disruption.”
Levy Armstrong, a Minneapolis-based civil rights attorney and activist, was also arrested for her participation in the St. Paul protest. Her arrest drew national attention after the White House shared on social media doctored photos where she appeared to be crying.
Minnesota
Man arrested, charged with threatening to kill a state senator
A Hubbard County man was arrested and charged after threatening to kill a Minnesota state senator on Facebook.
Court documents filed on Wednesday state the Minnesota State Patrol were investigating a threat posted by John Tobias saying that he would “kill every one of you treasonous [expletive] immediately” if he did not get money back that he claims he lost during the 2020 COVID shutdown.
Court documents go on to say that Tobias then called the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office asking for something to be done about “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ‘unconstitutionally’ shutting down the state due to COVID-19.
The Minnesota State Patrol contacted Hubbard County deputies regarding Tobias. Court documents state Hubbard County investigators were already familiar with Tobais after speaking with him regarding similar threats he made in Jan.
The charging documents state that investigators searched Tobias’ residence on Tuesday and found an arsenal of guns and 45 boxes of ammunition.
Tobias was taken into custody. During an interview with law enforcement, Tobias admitted to making the threat on Facebook. He also told investigators that “he did not have any intention of killing anyone, but admitted he was trying to get people’s attention,” according to court records.
In late 2025, Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol, who oversees Capitol security, told a panel of lawmakers that threats to lawmakers had doubled between 2024 and 2025.
Tobias made his first court appearance Wednesday morning and is expected back in court early next month.
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