At a March 15 retreat, Edina city officials outlined their strategy to tackle transportation emissions, which account for more than 40% of the city's total greenhouse gas output. The city has set an ambitious target: having one-quarter of all vehicles in Edina be fully electric by 2030.

Transportation represents the largest source of emissions in the community. According to city data, 41.1% of Edina's greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 came from the transportation sector. Officials noted that even modest shifts toward electric vehicles could yield significant environmental benefits — a 1% increase in EV adoption would prevent up to 2,750 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

To encourage residents to make the switch, the city hosted an electric vehicle showcase event on October 5th featuring EV owners, dealers, and experts. Local EV owners shared their experiences at the event. "We've had an EV for 2 years my wife and I both love the EV. It's a better driving experience, it's very reliable," one owner said. Another resident described being initially motivated by environmental concerns but discovering practical benefits: "I test drove an EV and it's such a better driving experience. There's more torque, it's immediately available at all points in driving."

Beyond promoting electric vehicles, the city is encouraging residents to reduce vehicle trips altogether and consider active transportation options like walking and biking. For those interested in going electric, the city has created online resources covering EV purchasing, home electrification, and charger installation. These materials are available on the City of Edina's sustainability pages.

"For residents who have questions about electrifying at home, putting in an EV charger, purchasing an EV, we have those resources on our City website," a city official said. No formal votes were taken during the retreat session.