The Twin Cities Are Ditching Cars, One Shared EV at a Time

Back in 2017, Minneapolis and St. Paul made a bold promise: they'd yank 50,000 cars off the road within a decade. Their strategy? More public transit, more bikes, more car-sharing. Because apparently, that's where we are now — cities actively trying to convince us to break up with our vehicles.

Fast forward to 2022, and the EV Spot Network roared to life. It's an electric vehicle car-sharing and public charging program that just snagged the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Award. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying for a program that's barely old enough to vote.

Not Your Average Car Rental

What makes the EV Spot Network unique? It's the only city-owned car-sharing and charging network in the U.S., according to Amanda LaGrange, CEO of Hourcar, the nonprofit that runs the whole shebang. So, not exactly Hertz, unless Hertz was run by your local government and powered by sunshine.

The network boasts 168 electric vehicles that residents can pick up and drop off within a 40-mile radius. Plus, there are 70 public curbside charging stations — that's 140 spots for the shared EVs and another 140 for private electric cars. All powered by 100% clean energy from Xcel Energy. Let that satisfying number sink in.

In 2025 alone, these stations clocked over 52,000 charging sessions and users took 140,000 car-sharing trips. Because nothing says "progress" like a city that smells less like exhaust and more like... well, nothing. Which is a huge improvement.

Hourcar estimates that every car-sharing vehicle available means 8 to 11 fewer cars bought by the community. That's less pollution, fewer greenhouse gases, and generally healthier humans. LaGrange points out that while the Twin Cities have decent public transportation, it doesn't hit every nook and cranny. Car-sharing swoops in to fill those gaps, minus the soul-crushing cost and environmental guilt of car ownership.

Built for the People, by the People (Kinda)

The EV Spot Network wasn't just pulled out of thin air. It grew from the Twin Cities' 2017 mobility plan, fueled by a community clamoring for environmental goals. Hourcar has been doing the car-sharing thing in the region for two decades, so they've had plenty of time to iron out the tech kinks. Erin Kayser, St. Paul's EV program coordinator, says they've pretty much mastered it.

The whole system runs on integrated tech, from booking a car to managing the fleet. The Evie/Hourcar app lets users grab a vehicle anytime, anywhere within the service area. Before launch, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hourcar actually talked to residents. They found that car ownership was too pricey and public transit wasn't comprehensive enough. Imagine that — asking people what they need and then building it.

This feedback continues to shape the program. Max Gonzalez, Minneapolis' mobility project manager, says residents use the network for everything from doctor's appointments to simply living a "car-free or car-light" life. Which sounds less like a sacrifice and more like a superpower.

More than 20% of Hourcar users combine public transportation and car-sharing in a single trip. Kayser believes car-sharing should be viewed as public transit, reducing single-occupancy vehicles and providing that crucial "first-mile" or "last-mile" connection. It’s especially vital for neighborhoods with many zero-car households and those hit hardest by vehicle emissions. Because climate resilience in transportation is apparently a thing now, and a necessary one at that.

Public charging made this all-electric network possible, further slashing emissions. Kayser notes it's a lifesaver for people in apartments who can't charge at home, and it even nudges others to consider buying an EV themselves. Gonzalez adds that it's a great way to test-drive an EV without the commitment of a purchase or a long-term rental. Think of it as a low-stakes electric vehicle fling.

The Future is Electric (and Shared)

The program's 2024 annual report is a bragging sheet: car-sharing trips, charging sessions, and emissions reductions are all up. A whopping 44% of users in 2024 were low-income, and 77% said the program helped them sell a car or delay buying one. Apparently, freedom from car payments is a powerful motivator.

The report also outlines plans to expand into four new areas and add more vehicles. Residents are constantly asking for more charging and car-sharing options, which is a good problem to have. LaGrange dreams of covering as much of the Twin Cities as possible, and maybe even beyond, if the funding gods are smiling.

Kayser's advice for other city leaders? Choose your partners wisely and ask all the questions. LaGrange hopes more cities will adopt similar programs, even if the EV Spot Network remains unique in its public-private partnership and multi-city approach. Because who doesn't want fewer cars and more clean air? Besides, perhaps, car manufacturers.