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As the saying goes — everything is bigger in Texas.
For electric vehicle (EV) owners, that may even include savings on vehicles, chargers, and electricity.
This article features Texas electric vehicle incentives, rebates, and discounts for EV drivers.
So when you’re ready to purchase your EV and get set up with level 2 charging at home, make sure to come back to the Kopperfield blog to find out where and how you can expect to save on vehicle and home electrification.
Texas EV rebates and incentives
While green energy-focused legislation and programming in Texas is mostly directed at emission reduction in the commercial space, there are a few incentives that directly apply to the everyday EV owner.
Electric vehicle emissions inspection exemption
Per a bill from the Texas Senate, as of September 2023 fully electric-powered vehicles are exempt from motor vehicle emissions inspections in the state of Texas.
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program
Part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP) is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The LDPLIP provides rebates for the purchase or lease of new alternative fuel vehicles. For electric and plug-in hybrids, a rebate can range up to $2,500.
At the time of this writing, TERP is accepting applications for this program beginning October 2023. Learn more about the requirements and how to apply here.
Many other grants are available through TERP, they just don’t apply to most individual EV owners. If you’re interested in the group’s programming for fleets, heavy-duty vehicles, busses, non-road equipment, trains, and more — it’s all on the TERP Grants page.
Texas utility rebates for electric vehicles & more
Around Texas, there are several utility providers that grant rebates for level 2 charging stations as well as discounts on the electricity used to power them.
United Cooperative Services EV charger rebate
The United Cooperative Services (UCS) energy cooperative offers members a 50% rebate (up to $500) on the cost of a level 2 EV charger.
Chargers must be programmable and set to charge during off-peak hours.
Learn more about UCS’s rebates programs.
Entergy eTech program
From Entergy, an integrated energy company, comes the eTech program.
Under this program, residential or commercial customers with electric vehicles can receive a $250 cash incentive with the purchase of a level 2 EV charger.
eTech also offers benefits for electrifying vehicle fleets, heavy machinery, and more.
Southwestern Electric Power Company Level 2 Home EV Charging Station Rebate Program
Southwestern Electric Power Company has a rebate for residential customers who own or rent their single-family home.
When these customers install an ENERGY STAR-certified level 2 EV charger, they may be eligible to receive $250 back on the cost.
Availability is limited, so find out if you’re eligible for this program today here.
CPS Energy FlexEV programs
CPS Energy has two different FlexEV Rewards programs that incentivize EV owners to charge during off-peak electricity hours.
With FlexEV Smart Rewards, customers can get a $250 bill credit when they allow CPS Energy to make remote adjustments to their qualified, Wi-Fi enabled level 2 EV chargers.
FlexEV Off-Peak Rewards grants customers a $125 credit when they agree to charge their EVs during off-peak hours.
For more details on the best charging times and how much you could save with CPS Energy’s incentive programs, visit their Charging at Home page.
Austin Energy residential EV charger rebate
Austin Energy also helps out residential customers with a rebate of 50% back on the cost of purchasing and installing a qualified level 2 EV charger.
The maximum rebate for OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) chargers is $1,200, and $900 for non-OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) chargers.
Visit the Austin Energy website to learn more about the requirements for this home charging rebate programing.
Federal rebates for electric vehicles & chargers
Looking for more savings?
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, U.S. taxpayers who purchase new and used qualified EVs or plug-in hybrids may be eligible to receive tax credits.
For new vehicles, that credit can range up to $7,500 in value. For used vehicles, the limit is $4,000. And for home EV charger purchase and installation, taxpayers can receive a credit worth up to $1,000.
To learn more, visit the IRS website:
- Credits for New Clean Vehicles Purchased in 2023 or After
- Credits for New Electric Vehicles Purchased in 2022 or Before
- Used Clean Vehicle Credit
Quick, above-board EV charger installs from Kopperfield
We should note that, in order to take advantage of the above rebate from Austin Energy, an electrical permit from the city of Austin is required when installing a hardwired EV charger.
This is likely the case for many of the incentives we’ve talked about today. Because while Texas doesn’t enforce the same codes state-wide, many of its counties and cities still do.
Across Texas as well as numerous other U.S. states, you will need a permit to install an EV charger — though figuring out exactly how to get one and what it entails will vary greatly.
If dealing with electrical permitting isn’t something you want to spend a lot of time on, request a quote from Kopperfield instead. Our platform will connect you with a Kopperfield certified electrician who will take care of all the details — as well as a safe, professional install — for you.
