Buying an Electric Vehicle Just Got Cheaper (Again) in Texas

The State of Texas arouses visions of oil-rich tycoons with dysfunctional families, a fierce adherence to individual liberties, and vast quantities of trucks bearing the names High Country, Longhorn, Laramie, and King Ranch. While agriculture and industry play a major role in the state’s economy, not every vehicle in the Lone Star State’s fleet relies on gas or diesel.

With numerous major urban centres and a good economy, electric vehicles have made inroads in Texas over the past several years. Soon, a resurrected incentive could light a fire under EV sales. Well, except for one brand.

According to Green Car Reports, the Texas Legislature ended its session last month with a gift for electric car buyers. The state’s electric car rebate program, which ended in 2015 after running two years, would return. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the program into law last week.

This means for the next two years, buyers of an EV can shave off a further $2,500 from the price of the vehicle. With the state covering that sum, the $7,500 federal tax credit brings the savings per eligible EV to a cool 10 grand. Good news if you’ve been pining for a Chevrolet Bolt.

Bad news, however, for another electric car builder. You see, the program is only offered by franchised car dealers, meaning Tesla buyers needn’t apply. The state has barred direct sales of the company’s vehicles at the handful of galleries and stores Tesla operates in Texas, though buyers are to pick one up across the state line after ordering it from their home.

The program is handled by the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, itself run by the state’s Commission on Environmental Quality. Buyers can expect rebates to begin flowing probably in September.

With the end of summer comes the beginning of Tesla Model 3 production, the company’s first lower-priced electric car. By August at the latest, expect Chevy’s similarly priced Bolt to reach dealerships in Texas. It will be interesting to see whether an extra $2,500 off, coupled with less buying hassle, sweetens the sales pot for General Motors’ little EV in the Lone Star State.

[Image: General Motors]