Tax incentives and/or other incentives for drivers of electric vehicles in Houston.
NEVs are defined as vehicles that can attain a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour (mph) and that must comply with the safety standards in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500. NEVs may only be used on roadways that have a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less except to cross at an intersection. A county, municipality, or the Texas Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of NEVs on a street or highway if the governing body determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(Reference Texas Statutes, Transportation Code 551.301-551.303)
Austin Energy offers residential customers who own an EV a rebate of 50% of the cost to purchase and install a qualified Level 2 EV charger, up to $1,200. For more information, including eligibility requirements, see the Austin Energy Home EV Charger Rebate website.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) administers the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP) as part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP). LDPLIP provides grants for the purchase or lease of a new light-duty vehicle powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, hydrogen, or electricity. CNG and propane vehicles, including bi-fuel vehicles, are eligible for a rebate of up to $5,000. Electric drive vehicles powered by a battery or hydrogen fuel cell, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with a battery capacity of at least 4 kilowatt hours, are eligible for a rebate of up to $2,500. One rebate is available per eligible vehicle. Rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, including application periods, see the TERP website.
(Reference Texas Statutes, Health and Safety Code 386.154 and Texas Administrative Code Title 30 Part 1 Chapter 114 Subchapter K Division 2 Rule 114.610-114.613)
EVs and NGVs may exceed the state’s gross vehicle weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds (lbs.). The EV or NGV maximum gross vehicle weight may not exceed 82,000 lbs.
(Reference Texas Statutes, Transportation Code 621.101)
CPS offers residential customers that own an EV access to the FlexEV Public Charging program network for an annual fee of $96 per EV. For more information, see the CPS Energy EVs website.
Entergy offers commercial customers rebates for the purchase of select EVs and Level 2 EV chargers. Rebates are available in the following amounts:
| Technology | Rebate Amounts |
|---|---|
| Electric Forklifts | Up to $500 |
| Electric Drayage Trucks | $1,500 |
| Electric Truck Refrigeration | $1,000 |
| Electric Cranes | Up to $25,000 |
| Electric Scissor and Boom Lifts | $100 |
| Light-Duty Electric Burden Carriers | $100 |
| Electric Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers | $100 |
| Electric Riding Floor Scrubbers | $150 |
| Electric Golf Carts | $150 |
| Level 2 EV Chargers | $250 |
| Direct Current (DC) Fast Chargers | Up to $1,500 |
Other technologies may be eligible for this incentive on a case-by-case basis. For more information, including eligible technologies, see the Entergy eTech website.
UCS offers residential customers a rebate of 50% of the cost to install a Level 2 EV charger, up to $500. Eligible customers must agree to charge EVs during off-peak hours. For more information, including eligibility and how to apply, see the UCS Energy Rebate Programs website.
SWEPCO offers residential customers a $250 rebate for the installation of an ENERGY STAR-certified Level 2 EV charger. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional terms and conditions apply. For more information, including how to apply, see the SWEPCO Level 2 Home EV Charging Station Rebate Program website.
The CPS Energy FlexEV Smart Rewards program offers a $250 bill credit to residential customers who own an eligible smart Level 2 EV charger.
The CPS Energy FlexEV Off-Peak Rewards program offers residential customers a $125 bill credit for charging during off-peak hours. Customers may earn an additional $10 bill credit per month if they limit charging during peak hours to twice a month. For more information, including eligible chargers, see the CPS EV Charging Solutions website.
Texas utilities joined the National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC), committing to create a network of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific of the United States. NEHC utility members agree to ensure efficient and effective fast charging deployment plans that enable long distance EV travel, avoiding duplication among coalition utilities, and complement existing corridor DCFC sites. For more information, including a list of participating utilities and states, see the NEHC website.
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