We are excited to inform you about a state and federal grant/tax credit opportunity for hotels that are interested in installing “charging stations” for electric vehicles.  Electric Vehicles (EV’s) are rapidly becoming a significant share of the new car market.  Texas ranked third in the country for sales of electric vehicles.  By 2022, over 200 EV models will be available including 8 pickup trucks and many electric SUVs. By 2025 there will be more than 500 EV models on the market.

Electric vehicle owners need a place to plug in to recharge their cars at night.  When traveling, these drivers often seek to stay at hotels that offer charging stations. As you can see on this map, the number of hotels offering charging services in Texas is currently very limited. Having such an amenity is one way to enhance guest loyalty while also likely attracting affluent customers. 

Grants are available from the State of Texas for a limited time to pay for up to fifty percent (50%) of the cost of charging units, with a maximum of up to a $2,500 rebate per charging unit. The cost of installation and upgraded electrical service can be covered by this rebate.  Additionally, federal tax credits that can offset up to 30% of the total cost are also available.

Accordingly, the total rebate and tax credit can typically cover about one-half of the cost of the charging stations.  You can also check with your local utility provider to see if they also offer rebates for this purpose. Time is of the essence to take advantage of these rebates. 

Applications for the state grants must be submitted by September 9, 2021.

For more information and the application link, click here to view our Q&A.  We want to make sure that all THLA members have access to the information they need in order to take advantage of this unique opportunity for electric charging stations.