Gas and diesel-powered vehicles continue to be a major source of air pollution, causing particulate matter, smog and VOCs that poison our air and put our health at risk. Though switching to zero-emissions vehicles is one of the best ways to improve air quality, there are many communities facing barriers to this critical transition. One of the biggest is being able to reach remote or disadvantaged communities. One coalition of Native Nations is hoping to change that for individuals living on their reservations.
Officially led by Native Sun Community Power Development and Standing Rock Renewable Development Authority , the program seeks to bring electric vehicles to areas where there was little to no infrastructure. This groundbreaking project, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and technical support from the American Lung Association, Clean Cities Coalitions and other partners, is more than just an environmental initiative — it’s about e creating fair opportunities and honoring Indigenous values.
“The project came together around a funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Energy,” explains Jon Hunter, senior director of healthy air solutions at the American Lung Association. “Native Sun reached out because we had experience working in the funding space before, and we’ve been working together ever since.”
Building a New Electric Vehicles Network
Before the project began in 2021, EV infrastructure was virtually nonexistent in many of the region’s tribal communities. Communities like Red Lake Nation in northern Minnesota and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe along the North and South Dakota border had limited resources, in part because of their distance from populated areas. This meant resources were limited as were charging stations or available electric vehicles.
“The original intent was to have a strong focus on these two communities at first and hopefully expand to other tribal communities in the region” Hunter says. “It’s about trying to get at least a charging station or two available in as many communities as possible.”
So far, the project has installed charging stations on these reservations, currently expanding across a dozen others in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the Upper Midwest. These stations, often placed in public and accessible locations, represent the first steps toward cleaner transportation in areas long left out of such development.
Expanding the Scope
Beyond installing chargers, the program provided a fleet of electric vehicles to each community. The vehicles were specifically chosen to fit local needs, and included vehicles like electric pickup trucks, shuttle buses and even utility vehicles.
“For Red Lake, the fleets involved include Child and Family Services, a language immersion school, the agriculture department, the tribe-owned fisheries, and even a youth shelter,” Hunter says. “For Standing Rock, there are vehicles for casino maintenance teams, a college security department, and even an off-road vehicle to support their wind farm development.”
These EVs are already making a difference. Workers are learning how to operate them; students are riding in cleaner school buses and tribal departments are saving money on fuel while reducing emissions. “The response has been really positive,” Hunter exclaimed after a recent visit to Red Lake. “They’re getting used to using them, learning about range and figuring out how they fit into their systems. They’re just happy to have them.”
While federal funding for many ongoing projects has become uncertain, it is clear that this work is making a difference for the community members and must continue.
Overcoming Barriers and Misinformation
Despite enthusiasm, the project isn’t without challenges. Remote locations and extreme temperatures test both technology and logistics. “People are still kind of nervous about how EVs perform in winter, and many still perceive them as luxury vehicles for the rich,” Hunter admits.
To change that perception, the project deliberately chose electric versions of familiar vehicles — like the Ford F-150 — which is commonly used in rural communities. “These vehicles show that there are cleaner versions of what they already use,” Hunter explains. The project also seeks to educate the community about these vehicles, showing how electric vehicles are just as reliable as gas-powered cars and are a great choice for any weather.
Though most electric vehicles can travel over 200 miles on a full charge, it is natural for communities that live far away from populated areas to be concerned about access to charging stations. “It’s hard to rationalize buying an EV if you don’t have anywhere to charge it,” says Hunter. But by building the infrastructure first, Native Sun and its partners are helping remove that barrier.
Natural Alignment with Cultural Values
For many Native Americans, caring for the environment has always been deeply rooted in their way of life. A shift toward using clean energy works in harmony with these beliefs. “People in agriculture and fisheries really emphasized how sustainability is just part of their everyday thinking,” explains Hunter.
At Standing Rock, for instance, SAGE has been trying to develop a large-scale wind farm without causing a cultural clash. “They decided not to build in the first location they were considering because of cultural resources and the spiritual importance of the area,” Hunter explains. “They moved away from what technically would have been the best location because they wanted to do it in a way that didn’t sacrifice their values.”
That mindset — balancing progress with cultural respect — is what makes the Native Nation’s EV project so unique. “This project brings benefits to their community, but it does it in a way that aligns with who they are and what they stand for. That’s what makes it powerful.”
Blog last updated: November 13, 2025
