AUSTIN (KXAN) — As electric vehicle technology access expands throughout Texas and the United States, the Texas Department of Transportation shared a task force-developed report this week on the state’s current electric truck charging infrastructure and ways to expand down the road.
The report’s analysis centered around medium and heavy-duty electric truck charging infrastructure, with Texas currently home to 3,438 electric delivery vans and 108 medium and heavy-duty electric trucks. Medium-duty trucks typically have a range of 100 to 200 miles and are used primarily for urban deliveries and utility work, while heavy-duty trucks have a range between 200 to 500 miles and are used more so for long-haul freight and port drayage.
In recent years, passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), along with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), allocated substantial financial investments into programs aimed at bolstering zero-emissions vehicle adoption, the report noted. Within the IIJA was a $5 billion investment in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant program (for battery technology only) as well as $2.5 billion for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant program, which OKs funding both hydrogen and other gaseous fuels.
Here in Texas, the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan and the Direct Current Fast Charging regulations developed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation “provide clarity on the development of EV charging stations in Texas,” per the release.
Key findings from the report include a recommendation for the creation of an Electric Truck Advisory Committee to help create a comprehensive, statewide plan for infrastructure development. The report also urged the Public Utility Commission of Texas to hire specific staff who can aid in rulemaking related to charging management, infrastructure construction and enhancing modeling efforts to help guarantee grid reliability in the process.
The report also called for Texas leadership to develop and adopt statewide standards for building and energy codes to minimize any permitting delays in the process. It also suggested additional incentives for electric truck-related infrastructure created with Texas-based manufacturing products.
On the electricity front, the report did note Texas’ deregulated market had a competitive edge over national figures when it came to electricity costs. The report found the average commercial retail electricity rate nationwide was 12.48 cents per kilowatt-hour in May 2024; comparatively, the average in Texas at the same time was 8.73 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Report findings encouraged the development of regulatory frameworks to build on the state’s competitive pricing advantages.
State Rep. Armando Walle, who served on the task force that helped develop the report, said in a statement online that it was “critical” for Texas to remain on the forefront of EV technology.
“It is critical Texas remains a driver for innovation and opportunity, and our state must keep pace with the expansion of zero emission vehicles across all industries,” his statement read. “I am proud to have worked with agencies, companies and experts on this report to send a strong signal that Texas is prepared to be an economic leader on this front and foster an environment that will support business development, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions for generations to come.”
The complete report is available online.