More options to charge EVs | News, Sports, Jobs

EV charging stations continue to increase, particularly in larger cities, according to Minnesota EV registration data.

Electric vehicles are still in their infancy in most localities.

In 2020, New Ulm Public Utilities received a share of the Volkswagen air permit violation settlement to install a new EV charging station in the City Hall parking lot on 2nd North Street, between Broadway and Minnesota Street.

The EV station owned, operated and maintained by ZEF Energy Inc. of Edina has two fast chargers and two level 2 chargers. Fast chargers can charge an EV to 80% in 4-10 hours. Direct current fast chargers can charge an EV to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch
An EV charging station with two fast chargers and two Level 2 charges owned and operated by ZEF Energy Inc. of Edina is located in the New Ulm City Hall parking lot near 2nd North and Broadway.

The City of New Ulm has two level 2 chargers in a city-owned parking lot at the corner of 2nd North and German Streets, across from German Park. The station is owned, operated and maintained by New Ulm Public Utilities (NUPU) and is part of the ChargePoint network.

Many EV motorists have utilized the charging stations. They come from the Twin Cities metro area, Indiana, West Virginia and Texas to name a few.

Online sources for EV charging stations are not always what they seem to be.

NUPU Energy Services Representative Derek Nelson agreed.

“I’ve seen locations posted by people like a hotel exterior electrical outlet, parking lot pole and parking ramp outlet where an EV could be charged,” Nelson said.

“Depending on how a person looks at it, it may not be any different than pulling up to someone’s residence and pulling into their exterior outlet. Technically, they may be stealing electricity from a that location by making the property owner pay to charge their vehicle,” he added.

Nelson provided usage data from the two level 2 chargers on German Street.

From April 28, 2023 to April 25, 2024, the EV station had 134 visits. The data showed the electricity purchased by EV station visitors in 365 days saved a total of 833.173 kg (kilograms) of greenhouse gases due to avoided emissions and 1.143 MWh (megawatt hours).

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere. An increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases produces a warming effect, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whose mission is to protect human health and the environment.

Chuck Spaeth Ford Sales Consultant Travis Hagert said the dealer is close to opening new EV charging stations.

“Ford sells Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning (pickup truck) EVs. Our dealers have sold more than 30 EVs,” Hagert said.

“It’s still early in the game for EVs. There’s a lot more on the way that will be done to reduce the cost of production. To the consumer, shorter charging times and extended range will reduce anxieties that people rightfully have when thinking of switching (from internal combustion engine to EV,” said Hagert.

He described what it was like driving a Mustang Mach-E.

“I can honestly say it’s the most enjoyable vehicle I’ve driven. The acceleration is second to none. It’s instant torque. With no transmission shifting, the ride is ultra smooth,” Hagert said.

“With no oil, transmission or flushes needed, cost of maintenance is very low,” he added.

“If Henry Ford were alive today, his jaw would probably hit the floor if he saw what these vehicles can do,” Hagert said.

He predicted EVs having a 1,000-mile range, a full charge in five minutes and a much larger migration to EVs in the future.

Rick Jensen of Jensen Motors EV demand was strong when he had them at the dealership.

“We had a GMC Hummers that were quickly sold to people in New York and California,” said Jensen.

“We’re waiting for Jeep to put a credit card reader for our EV charging station. Our GM dealership gets about four visits a month for charging,” he added.

Weelborg Chevrolet General Manager Ryan S

imonette said his dealership have several Chevy Blazer EVs on the lot. He said a dealership renovation project will include adding several EV charging stations.