Demonstrators watch as multiple speakers, including State Sen. Scott Dibble and Minneapolis City Council member Soren Stevenson, share their desire for Evie Carshare’s services to continue. Demonstrators gathered at Government Plaza in Minneapolis Tuesday, Oct. 13, to voice their concern about Evie operator HOURCAR concluding operations after 20 years. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
Stevenson addresses the crowd. He said receiving the news about HOURCAR’s closure was “extremely demoralizing.” (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
Demonstrators hold handmade signs high as Stevenson speaks. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
Noah Velick, organizer for Neighbors for Community Car Share and HOURCAR employee, speaks to the crowd about the need for HOURCAR services. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
In an interview, Velick says community members should contact their representatives if they want them to prioritize carshare funding. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
Minneapolis resident Morgan Bliss says they often use HOURCAR’s services for work. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
An Evie car next to Government Plaza. Demonstrators were told to arrive Tuesday in Evie cars. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
A demonstrator stands above the crowd after the speakers concluded to encourage others to share how Evie cars have impacted their lives. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest) 
Community members gather despite the rain to show their support for HOURCAR services. (Sydney Baxter/The Crest)
Dozens of supporters rallied Tuesday alongside elected officials at Government Plaza in Minneapolis, calling for emergency funding to prevent the shutdown of HOURCAR, the operator of Evie Carshare.
Twin Cities nonprofit HOURCAR announced its decision to shut down Oct. 8 due to an approximately $625,000 budget gap caused by nationwide vehicle insurance increases and reductions in federal support.
Among the reductions in federal support was the Trump administration’s decision to cut a $560,000 Department of Energy grant supporting Evie’s expansion into St. Paul’s East Side in October 2025. A federal judge later ordered funding restored, according to the Star Tribune.
According to HOURCAR’s Oct. 8 announcement, over 4,000 active members regularly use Evie Carshare to commute to work, medical appointments and other destinations.
“We want these services to continue to be around for decades, and we think it’s possible with legislative funding, with city, local and county funding,” Noah Velick, organizer for Neighbors for Community Car Share and HOURCAR employee, told demonstrators.
Organizers urged demonstrators to contact their representatives and press for emergency funding.
“We’ve heard from the representatives that spoke here today at our rally, that flooding the inboxes and calling them over and over really works,” Velick said.
“Please continue to light up our inboxes,” state Sen. Scott Dibble told demonstrators. “Evie, our carshare, is a vital component of mobility and transportation and access to prosperity and healthcare.”
Among the demonstrators was Minneapolis resident Morgan Bliss, a member of HOURCAR’s $1-a-month access plan.
“I took HOURCARs and Evie 2,270 miles this year so far,” Bliss said. “I drove Evies and HOURCARS a lot for work trips.”
Bliss said that for those who rely on the car-sharing-service, its shutdown will leave few alternatives.
“I don’t have a great plan,” Bliss said, “I’ve never had a car as long as I’ve lived in the cities … I can’t afford it.”
The timing of HOURCAR’s shutdown is complicating efforts for additional state funding, as the Minnesota Legislature is not in session. Lawmakers are not scheduled to reconvene until January, months after HOURCAR’s planned closure.
“The timing of this to me feels negligent on purpose,” Bliss said.
In June, HOURCAR met with local and regional officials to address a $1.1 million funding gap. HOURCAR received $475,000 from the Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, according to the Star Tribune. Despite receiving the funding and considering cost-cutting measures, the nonprofit still faced a deficit of approximately $625,000, according to HOURCAR.
Users like Bliss remain hopeful that elected officials can intervene to preserve the service.
“If they have half a billion dollars for (the Minneapolis Police Department), then they can spare $5 million for car-sharing,” Bliss said.
The Neighbors for Community Carshare website lists 50 elected officials who have not commented on HOURCAR’s shutdown.
“Which is really a shame because that’s 14,000 of their constituents that potentially are going to lose transportation at the end of this week,” Velick said.
Victor Mshihiri can be reached at mshi7898@stthomas.edu.
Sydney Baxter can be reached at baxt9124@stthomas.edu.
