MN SF1296

Establishes vehicle purchase preference order for state fleet prioritizing electric vehicles first, then hybrid electric vehicles, then cleaner fuel vehicles, with gasoline/diesel as last resort if life-cycle cost difference does not exceed 10 percent.

Requires new motor vehicle dealers selling electric vehicles to maintain at least one employee certified through a Minnesota dealership association training program covering EV fundamentals, charging options, incentives, maintenance costs, emissions benefits, cold climate impacts, and sales practices, effective January 1, 2024.

Creates electric vehicle rebate program offering $2,500 for new EVs and $500 for used EVs, with additional $500/$100 rebates for low-income purchasers below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines; limits one rebate per resident and one per business annually; expires June 30, 2027.

Requires public utilities to file transportation electrification plans by November 1, 2023, detailing programs to promote EV purchases, deploy charging infrastructure, educate consumers, and support low-income access; allows commission approval of cost recovery mechanisms including rate base investment and performance incentives.

Appropriates $24 million total in fiscal year 2024 ($20 million for rebates, $4 million for dealer certification grants) split between renewable development account and general fund based on service territory location; dealer grants capped at $40,000 per dealership.