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. We’ll also take a look at what permits are typically required for a Level 2 home charger. When you’re ready to purchase your EV and get set up with Level 2 charging at home, make sure to come back to Kopperfield for a fast, free online estimate.
Texas EV rebates and incentives
While green energy-focused legislation and programming in Texas are 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 and chargers
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 and 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 (in rural or low-income communities).
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
In 2024, tax credits for new and used EVs may become even more accessible. A proposal from the U.S. Department of the Treasury aims to offer tax breaks as upfront discounts at the time of purchase. Stay tuned to the blog, where we’ll follow the progress of this proposal.
Does Texas require permits for EV charger installations?
Texas does not enforce statewide residential codes. That said, individual municipalities are allowed to have their own building regulations — and many do.
For example, Austin, Houston, and Dallas all have requirements for electrical permits. Typically in Texas, the smaller the municipality the less likely it is you’ll need an electrical permit to get a Level 2 charger hardwired into your home. While some homeowners opt to skip electrical permits in order to save money, we strongly recommend obtaining a permit for your EV charger installation to ensure the work meets local safety standards. Plus, in the highly unlikely event of a fire, your homeowners insurance policy may not be valid if you opted against a permit in a city that requires one.
Not sure where your city falls or how to go about figuring out electrical permitting? We’ll help you handle it. Get the details in the next section.
Fast,reliable EV charger installs from Kopperfield
The process of figuring out exactly how to get a permit and what it may cost varies greatly — especially in states like Texas where each region can play by its own rules.
If figuring out electrical permitting isn’t something you want to spend a lot of time on, request a quote from Kopperfield instead.
We 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.
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