Xcel Energy Expands Support for HOURCAR and Evie Carshare With $350,000 Investment

HOURCAR announced that Xcel Energy will build on its existing agreement for electric vehicle carsharing programs, opening greater access to clean, affordable transportation for more Twin Cities residents.

Xcel Energy will provide an additional $350,000 to support the ongoing expansion of the Evie Carshare and HOURCAR Electric initiatives. Evie Carshare is a one-way carshare program across 35 square miles of Minneapolis and St. Paul, while HOURCAR Electric is a round-trip carshare. The largest non-profit carshare service has seen record growth over the last three years and added an initiative to include low-income multi-family developments in the successful carshare service offerings.

“Since launching in 2019, the results of these two services have been remarkable. Participation has grown significantly, and demand for further expansion is increasing,” said Amy Brendmoen, HOURCAR interim president and CEO. “With Xcel Energy’s increased partnership, we will continue to deepen and grow our popular EV carsharing services in the metro area and ensure communities of all income levels are served.”

Xcel Energy has invested in the Evie Carshare and multi-family charging since 2019. At that time, the company, along with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and key stakeholders, recognized a need to expand options for customers, including renters, who don’t have their own garage to install an EV charger.

“Our support for these two programs has successfully lowered barriers for customers who are interested in electric vehicles yet lack at-home charging options,” said Emmett Romine, Xcel Energy vice president of Customer Energy and Transportation Solutions. “This is a key piece of our vision to enable the charging infrastructure for 1.5 million EVs across the eight states we serve by 2035. It’s one way we’re making energy work better for our customers and communities.”

Evie Carshare

Xcel Energy provided the infrastructure for 70 EV charger sites that support Evie Carshare and are available to the public to charge their own vehicles. In July 2025, Evie Carshare surpassed 430,000 trips, and use of the chargers has grown steadily by the public.

HOURCAR is the largest nonprofit carshare service in the country and is currently growing the Evie Carshare network into Saint Paul’s East Side by opening new stations along Metro Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit Gold Line.

“Xcel Energy’s support has been critical to keeping the service affordable. As a direct result, 44% of trips are taken by very low-income users, which is the group most in need of affordable clean transportation options,” Brendmoen said.