MN Sustainability

MnDOT fleet vehicles perform maintenance, snow plowing, delivery, and other duties statewide. MnDOT owns approximately 4,000 vehicles, the majority of which are medium and heavy duty vehicles. Of the 1,263 light-duty vehicles that were used in 2021, 45 were hybrids and 38 were plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric vehicles (BEV). MnDOT's fossil fuel consumption is more than 25% of the enterprise.

MnDOT fleet vehicles used 8 percent less fossil fuel in 2021 compared to 2020, marking the second year in a row of lower fossil fuel use. Heavy-duty vehicles drove the reduction, using about 11 percent less fuel in 2021 than 2020.

Light-duty vehicles make up a small share of agency fuel use (approximately 15 percent). MnDOT has a goal to transition all sedans and small SUVs in the agency fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2030. MnDOT did not add PHEVs or BEVs to the fleet in 2021. Electric Vehicles (EV) (including PHEVs) account for 15% of the 250 sedans and light-duty SUVs in the MnDOT fleet.

MnDOT is partnering with Xcel Energy and Sawatch Labs to conduct an EV Suitability Assessment and Infrastructure Optimization analysis for a sub-set of the agency’s fleet. The suitability assessment will study 100 light- and medium- duty vehicles in the agency fleet and generate recommendations about cost-effective opportunities to replace internal combustion engine vehicles with EVs. The study will also identify additional charging needs for current and planned EVs in the MnDOT fleet. Initial results are expected by Fall 2022. MnDOT will also pilot electric pick-up trucks beginning in 2022.

MnDOT owns over 1,000 buildings totaling over 6.2 million square feet. The agency has achieved consistent energy savings through building automation, equipment upgrades, and lighting upgrades. Resource use at agency facilities declined in 2020 as some MnDOT staff and members of the public worked from home and traveled less. This trend continued in 2021. MnDOT's energy consumption is 8% of the enterprise.

Between 2008 and 2021, the agency reduced energy consumption per square foot by 31%. Energy efficiency projects drove the improvements between 2008 and 2019. Between 2019 and 2020, facility energy intensity dropped by 17% from 48 kBtu/square foot to 40 kBtu/square foot because of energy efficiency improvements, mild weather, and increased teleworking. In 2021, the agency continued to implement energy efficiency projects and experience lower occupancy rates in facilities.

Between 2017 and 2021, MnDOT used 15% less water at agency-owned and operated facilities. Building closures, fixture replacements, and operational changes due to COVID-19 drove a significant change in water use between 2019 and 2020. In 2020, approximately 70% of MnDOT facilities used less water than in 2019. As staff returned to agency facilities in 2021, water use increased. MnDOT is working to support teleworking opportunities and implement water conservation measures that can help to maintain efficient water use at MnDOT facilities.

Minnesota's water resources are vital to the people and economy of the State. Making roads safe for motorists remains MnDOT's first concern and all parties involved in winter maintenance must learn to continuously consider the environmental impact and reduce chloride use wherever possible. The agency is increasingly blending liquid salt brine with alternative chemicals, such as calcium chloride, to reduce negative impacts on water quality from salt. Brine use increased from 6.49 million gallons in state fiscal year 2020 to 8 million gallons in state fiscal year 2022.

MnDOT values sustainability

Current Performance Data