Over 200,000 electric vehicles are estimated to cruise Texas roads today. And many drivers are now considering going electric as options like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV and affordable models like the Chevy Bolt grow.
But what’s it really like owning an EV in the Lone Star State? This Texas EV owner’s guide will walk you through the need-to-know details.
EV Growth Trends in Texas
Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a small but rapidly growing share of vehicles in Texas. EV registrations have climbed 5x in the past 5 years as improved models appeal to more buyers.
| Year | EV Registrations |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 16,474 |
| 2022 | 103,959 |
And this is just the beginning of an EV boom. Major automakers have pledged to go all-electric this decade. GM plans an EV lineup of 30+ models by 2025 alone.
This influx of new EVs paired with rising gas prices positions Texas as a major growth opportunity. Automakers clearly think so too based on major factory investments like Tesla‘s Gigafactory and Canoo’s engineering/production plans.
So what do Texas drivers need to know about embracing electric amidst this sales momentum? Let’s cover the key ownership considerations.
Charging Infrastructure Readiness
Limited public charging used to top the list of EV ownership barriers. But infrastructure is now scaling rapidly in Texas’ major metro areas as today‘s table shows:
| City | Stations 2020 | Stations 2022 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | 198 | 475 | +140% |
| Dallas | 121 | 425 | +250% |
| Houston | 201 | 1,102 | +448% |
| San Antonio | 112 | 681 | +508% |
Thousand more chargers are planned too…
This rapid infrastructure growth recently led Texas DOT to approve $408 million dedicated specifically to building out highway chargers every 50 miles along most interstates.
While gaps still exist today, range anxiety concerns will soon fade into the rearview mirror.
Breaking Down EV Charging Costs
Saving money on gas ranks as a major reason drivers go electric. So what can Texans expect to pay to fuel their EVs?
Charging costs vary considerably by:
- Location – Home vs public
- Charger type – Slow L1, Fast L2, Rapid DC fast charging
Home Charging
Ideally, 80% of charging happens conveniently overnight using Level 2 chargers at home. These add 10-25 miles per hour of charging.
Home charging costs depend on your Texas utility‘s electricity rate. Rates range considerably as this table shows:
| Utility | Rate (cents/kWh) |
|---|---|
| Austin Energy | 8.2 |
| CPS San Antonio | 10.3 |
| Dallas Utility | 12.7 |
| Houston Utility | 11.1 |
Assuming 10 cent average rate
For me in Austin, my Kia Niro EV’s 65 kWh battery costs just $6.50 to replenish. That’s good for 230+ miles, making my cost a fraction over 2 cents per mile.
Clearly home charging wins big for low cost and convenience!
Public DC Fast Charging
For travel beyond home’s reach, DC fast chargers topping off 180+ miles in 30 minutes enable road trips.
But less time plugged in means higher rates – often 4-6X more than home rates as this chart shows:
| Network | Cost | Ratio Vs Home |
|–|–|–|–
| Chargepoint | $0.31 | 3.6x |
| EVGo | $0.27 | 3.1x |
| Electrify Am | $0.43 | 5x |
Occasional public charging works for road trips. But home charging is the real budget saver!
Texas EV Ownership Cost Analysis
Let‘s compare real-world ownership costs over 5 years for today‘s hottest selling electric trucks and SUVs.
We‘ll assume:
- 15k miles annually
- exclusively home charging
- 10 cent per kWh electricity rate
- Gas prices of $2.60 per gallon
Running the numbers for 4 top-selling electric models…
Ford F-150 Lightning
The electric F-150 Lightning with its 98 kWh battery proves far cheaper to fuel than its gas peers thanks to efficiency. Total 5 year fuel savings over an equivalent V6 F-150 exceed $5,700.
[insert table]Tesla Model Y
With seating for 5 plus generous cargo space, Model Ycrossover SUV sales lead among electric models. The long range version’s 80 kWh battery enables 315 miles per charge.
Pit the Model Y against the gas-powered Lexus NX300. The Tesla’s 5-year fuel savings hit $4,255.
[insert table]Chevy Bolt (66 kWh battery)
Bolt EV prices start at just $25,555 after federal credits, making Chevy’s hatchback the most affordable at 262 miles range. Compare it against a gas Honda Civic.
[insert table]Nissan Leaf Plus (64 kWh battery)
The Leaf holds its own too with 226 miles range, space for 5 and Nissan reliability cred. Against top-seller the RAV4 Hybrid…
[insert table]The EV advantage holds strong across models – slashing 5-year fuel costs by thousands over gas counterparts!
Lone Star State Incentives for EV Drivers
While incentives in Texas pale against peer states like California, a few programs reward EV buyers.
State EV Purchase Rebate
- Up to $2,500 back on select new EV purchases
- First 2k applicants each year; funding is limited
High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Access
- Solo drivers of EVs use HOV lanes on certain highways
Lower Registration/Licensing Fees
- $54 EV annual registration vs $90 average for gas cars
- Marginally cheaper licensing based on lower EV weight
Local incentives can help too. In Austin, you‘ll get $1,500 back on a home charger through Austin Energy. CPS Energy in San Antonio offers between $2,500 and $4,000 off purchases.
So while Texas won’t match incentives elsewhere anytime soon given oil money influences, some rebates exist if you act quickly!
Best Texas Cities for Owning an EV
Just like real estate, location matters for EV ownership. Cost savings and convenience differ greatly across cities.
I rank Austin as the premier locale thanks to generous incentives, charging infrastructure investments and the most renewable-centric grid. Ultra-low overnight rates (below 5 cents per kWh!) from Austin Energy make home charging dirt cheap too.
But other locales shine too:
- Dallas/Fort Worth enjoy similar renewable power tailwinds and chargers proliferate
- Houston trails the state for chargers though ranks tops nationally in solar power potential
- San Antonio‘s CPS Energy works toward carbon neutrality by 2050, funding EV programs
No matter your Texas hometown, EV-friendly initiatives seem likely to expand in years ahead!
Key Ownership Considerations and Challenges
While the electric path holds advantages, also weigh a few unique EV challenges:
Home Charging Limitations – Renters or housing lacking garage access face hurdles. But apartment charger requirements should expand over time.
Future Policy Changes – Texas lawmakers signal mostly EV-neutral positions now. But longer-term opposition to vehicle emissions policies could bring uncertainty.
Peak Charging Strains Grids – As EVs multiply, overtaxing grids during extreme heat events risks outages. Managed charging can mitigate strains long-term.
Incentive Envy – California envy may flare up seeing $7,500 purchase rebates that Texans only dream of! But our EV running cost advantages shine through.
Place these considerations on the scale along with fuel savings and expanding charging when deciding if electric fits the bill for you.
Bottom Line
Between falling EV prices and rising gas costs, the total ownership math for millions of Texas drivers will soon favor electric vehicles.
If ready to ditch pumps, remember:
- Home charging slashes fueling costs below 5 cents/mile
- Highways charge up quickly with 500+ new plugs underway
- Shop local rebates before federal credits expire
Soon powering more miles for fewer dollars will make EVs Texas-sized bargains! Hope this insider overview helps you decide if electric fits your lifestyle. Just be sure to wave when you see me around Austin in my Kia Niro EV!
