Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, with many car buyers considering these gas-free options to reduce emissions and save money on fuel costs. While the balance between environmental benefits and financial considerations is a personal decision, one question remains: Does owning an EV make sense for those living in cold climates and navigating the demands of a military lifestyle?
One of the first questions prospective EV owners ask is, “Where can I charge it?” Fortunately, there are several charging options around Minot. The most popular station appears to be at Ryan Nissan (3915 South Broadway), with additional chargers scattered throughout the area. While Tesla SuperChargers are highly sought after, none are currently available in Minot, though several can be found along the I-29 and I-94 corridors.
EV owner Emily Medeiros shared her experience with local charging, noting that Minot AFB Homes may soon install charging stations, as other bases across the U.S. have already begun doing so. “It costs around $5–$10 per charge,” she explained. “You can also plug into any standard 110V outlet, but it will take significantly longer. How long a charge lasts depends on your vehicle’s range and usage.”
It’s no secret that military members are often on the move, and no one is immune to those last-minute overseas PCS orders. But what happens to your EV when it needs to be shipped thousands of miles across the ocean? Different countries have varying regulations on EVs and charging infrastructure, so you may need to swap out your charging connectors if stationed in Europe. However, the shipping process itself is no different from transporting a traditional vehicle.
Military spouse Marsha Painter, who recently shipped her Tesla from Honolulu to San Diego on orders, described the process as simple. “We just had to make sure our car was charged, but I guess that’s similar to needing a certain amount of gas.” She confirmed that her vehicle arrived at the port in perfect working condition, with no damage to the battery or car itself. Keep in mind that the military covers the cost of shipping only one vehicle to an overseas location—if you need to ship a second, the out-of-pocket expense can run several thousand dollars, depending on the destination.
Minot’s frigid winters raise another important question: How do EV batteries perform in extreme cold? According to Car and Driver’s article Does an EV Work as Well in Cold Weather?, battery range decreases in lower temperatures. The article likens an EV battery to a person who feels sluggish in the cold and needs time to warm up. “When temperatures fall, the battery’s performance degrades, and the additional climate control usage also burns extra energy. It’s not a massive decline, but some owners report a 10 to 20 percent lower range at temperatures below freezing. Generally, the colder it gets, the more your EV’s range will be reduced.”
EV owner Emily Medeiros shared her personal experience, explaining, “I originally had a rear-wheel drive when we arrived in November but traded it for an all-wheel drive with a longer range. However, if you put snow tires on a rear-wheel drive and have a Level 2 home charger, you’d be just fine. The battery does drain faster and charges slower in the cold, but I haven’t found it to be too inconvenient. And it drives great on snow and ice.” Another EV owner, Jürgen Bold, echoed this sentiment, saying, “My Tesla Model Y works fine here.”
At the end of the day, the decision to invest in an EV comes down to what works best for you and your family within the unique demands of military life.
