EV Charging Stations

OVERVIEW

The Port of Galveston has been awarded two Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program (TXVEMP) grants totaling $35,000. The grants are for the purchase of 28 EV charging stations to be installed at several of the port’s parking areas. The program offers grants to replace or upgrade vehicles and equipment or install charges for alternative fuels, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The move is meant both to generate revenue for the port and to increase services for the more than 1 million cruise passengers who travel to the island each year. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular, but charging infrastructure still is relatively scarce outside of major urban hubs. To meet this growing demand, the port’s first set of EV stations is expected to be up and running by summer 2023.

The port plans to make the stations universal, meaning any electric car should be able to charge up. Adding charging stations also is a potential money-maker for the port because it can establish a revenue share with the charging company.

The grant money comes from a $2.9 billion settlement agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency, the state of California and Volkswagen over the company’s alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.