"could" and "expected" are the key words in this article. The chances of 20,000 of these vehicles being on MN roads by 2020 are fairly slim - electric vehicles have missed every sales target that has ever been set for them. For the 550 current owners in the state, which probably translates to fewer than 100 in Dakota's service area, I'm glad they are not making a major capital expense to service them.

I just received my electric energy data from my supplier. I rank among the top 2% regarding energy efficiency. These deep thinkers will use more than eight times what I use, so I don't ever want to hear anything from these morons when I drive my SUV.

I also have an SUV, a couple bikes, a lawn tractor, and I love to ride on trains, in addition to driving my Leaf. Time will tell if I'm a moron or not I guess. But I believe that prices for EVs will come down while capabilities go up, and then the economics are going to be overwhelmingly in favor of EVs. And i believe it's going to happen faster than people expect Everybody is going to want one if they can make it work for their driving needs. And the power companies don't have to invest a dime if people charge at night because there's more than enough capacity to support that now. So go ahead and drive whatever you want, and be happy that less gas for me means more gas for you. It's a win-win!

hmmm, WJM2222... the Bill Middlecamp featured in the story I assume? I agree with you that it is logical that the prices for EVs will come down as capabilities go up (no one can do economies of scale like car companies). I don't have a problem with EVs per se. It would make sense for my mom or anyone else who commutes short distances, just as the smart car does. What offends me is the government subsidies that go into something like the Volt (not nearly as much for your Leaf). The last figure I heard was that there's over $200,000 in subsidies in every $50,000 Volt when you factor in the subsidies for the battery company, the charger company, etc. I don't care how efficient each Volt is, the waste happened before it rolled off the lot.

Our government funded the development of the Internet--would you also say that was a mistake? It also funded the Apollo moon project, and the Interstate Freeway system. Do you think those should not have been funded? The difference with electric vehicle development is that it hasn't proven its benefits to be worth more than the investment, yet. I feel as strongly that it will as you do that it won't. I've submitted commentary to the Opinion editors listing several reasons why, and that precludes me listing them here for two weeks. Stay tuned. Hopefully they'll publish them.