In November 2013, the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved a rebate program to provide financial incentives up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of new eligible vehicles powered by
compressed natural gas (CNG),
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or plug-in electric drive with battery capacity larger than 4
kWh, from a licensed dealer or leasing company.[2] Total funding for the program was US$7.7 million, and the maximum number of vehicles allowed was 2,000 units for each plug-in electric drive and natural gas/propane vehicles for the length of the program.[2][3] The program was in effect from May 13, 2014 until June 26, 2015.
As of May 2022[update], the state government offers tax rebates of $2,500 for electric vehicle purchases.[4]
As of May 2022[update], the state government charges a $150 annual registration fee for electric vehicles.[5]
As of 1 September 2021[update], charging stations are not considered electric utilities or providers for the purposes of state government regulation.[7]
There have been concerns about the reliability of Texas's
electrical grid with regards to charging electric vehicles.[9][10]
Public opinion
In a poll conducted in March 2022 by
Texas 2036 about how many registered voters "have bought or considered buying" an electric vehicle, the number of affirmative respondents was 53% for people age 18–34, 56% for age 35–44, 34% for age 45–54, and 20% for age 55+.[11]
By region
Amarillo
As of 2019[update], there were around six public charging stations in
Amarillo.[12]
Austin
As of April 2023[update],
Travis County has the second highest number of electric vehicles and charging stations of any Texas metropolitan area.[13] As of April 2023[update], there were 25,148 electric vehicles registered in
Travis County.[14]
As of June 2022[update], there were about 1,300 charging stations in Austin.[15]
As of August 2021[update], electric vehicle automaker
Rivian has plans to open a manufacturing facility in southwest Tarrant County. If opened, the facility would be the largest car manufacturing facility in the state.[18]
El Paso
As of 2021[update], there were about 1,800 electric vehicles registered in
El Paso County.[19] As of February 2022[update], the county had 66 charging stations.[20]
Houston
As of July 2022[update], there were about 19,000 electric vehicles in
Harris County, with about 13,000 being registered in the city of
Houston.[21]
As of September 2021[update], the Houston city government had 40 electric cars in its fleet. The city plans to transition all of its light-duty vehicles to electric by 2030.[22]
In August 2021,
Houston Metro announced its intentions to transition the agency's bus fleet to all-electric by 2030.[23]