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Electric Nation™
Welcome to Electric Nation™, a Tribal-led program of Native Sun Community Power Development. Our projects benefit members of Tribal Nations in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. We are currently engaging with Tribes in these five states to plan and install EV chargers, aligning with the unique needs and priorities of each community. Our project partners include the Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority (SAGE), state agencies, regional electric utilities, Clean Cities Coalitions, and major research universities.
Electric Nation™ comprises two Department of Energy-funded projects as follows:
Upper Midwest Inter-Tribal EV Charging Community Network
Launched in 2021, the first project of Electric Nation™ is the Upper Midwest Inter-Tribal EV Charging Community Network, a three-year initiative focused on Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The project equips Tribal fleets with electric vehicles and builds EV charging infrastructure in underserved areas.
In this project, Electric Nation™ is working to install DC fast charging units on Reservations and their vital travel routes, as well as Level 2 EV chargers at community gathering spots, multi-family dwellings, Tribal colleges, and other destinations. We have deployed electric light-duty pickup trucks and cars, an electric shuttle, and two electric school buses. We are also developing a new workforce training program for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Red Lake Nation members.
Expanding Regional EVSE Access with Tribal Nations based on Community Priorities (Western Great Lakes Nations)
The second project of Electric Nation™, Expanding Regional EVSE Access with Tribal Nations Based on Community Priorities, is also a three-year initiative, this time focused on the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. This project focuses on the installation of Level 2 EV charging for Tribal Nations in these states. We are actively engaging in discussions with tribes and identifying cohorts to ensure that this project aligns with the unique needs and priorities of each community.
Gasoline Fuel Cost Burdens on Tribal Lands
The downloadable resources below illustrate the gasoline fuel cost burden on Tribal communities in the Upper Midwest. The map shows the concentration of gasoline Superusers--the top 10% of US drivers in terms of gasoline use--on Tribal lands.
The accompanying summary document provides additional information on how higher expenditures on gasoline combined with disproportionately lower incomes suggests potential cost savings by switching to electric vehicles.
Access to clean transportation means access to healthcare, jobs, and family.
Upper Midwest Inter Tribal EV Charging Community Network
Launched in 2021 with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Upper Midwest Inter-Tribal EV Charging Community Network is a three-year initiative focused on Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The project equips Tribal fleets with electric vehicles and builds EV infrastructure in underserved areas.
The network also connects Tribal Nations along the Native American National and State Scenic Byway, expanding access to healthcare, education, retail, and cultural sites while reducing transportation emissions.
Our
Key Partners
Our Collective Power
We believe in the collective power of partnerships. Since the beginning, we have collaborated with Tribal governments, employers, grassroots organizations, higher education institutions, and community leaders to connect climate solutions with cultural strength. We also work closely with Native-led schools, workforce boards, public agencies, and community-based nonprofits to co-develop curriculum, share knowledge, and provide technical assistance. Our goal is to ensure that other Native communities can build upon and adapt what we have learned. Collective power is collaborative.
It does not belong to one organization. It grows from trust, shared purpose, and mutual accountability. Our team lives in the communities we serve and is accountable to them. That grounding keeps our work relevant, relational, and rooted in reciprocity.
Electric Nation™ Plan Your Trip
Charging stations aren’t yet as common as gas stations. If you are planning a long-distance trip in an EV, then you never want to find yourself too far away from a charging station. That’s what makes the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator so invaluable. It allows you to pinpoint the locations of various types of charging stations nationwide, including Level 1, Level 2 and DC Fast charging stations. It also shows the locations of other alternative fueling stations: propane, hydrogen, ethanol (E85), biodiesel (B20 and above), liquified natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and renewable diesel (R20 and above).
Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Vehicle Technologies Office Award Numbers DE-EE0009865 and DE-EE0010623 and prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.
