Electric Vehicles San Antonio (EVSA)

EVSA brings together the City’s work on electric vehicles, which includes planning, charging stations, education and community programs, to help more people and businesses switch to electric and enjoy the benefits.

Make Power Moves

Accelerate faster, drive quieter and live cleaner.

 

Benefits of Electric Transportation

Transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in San Antonio. These emissions help create ground-level ozone, which can harm people’s health. Electric vehicles (EVs) are clean, cost-effective and quiet. As the city grows and more cars fill the roads, switching to electric vehicles can help keep our air cleaner and our community healthier.

In recent years, San Antonio’s air pollution levels have been higher than federal clean air standards allow. Breathing polluted air over time can be especially harmful for children, people who work or exercise outdoors and those with asthma or other breathing problems. Electric transportation is one way we can reduce pollution and build a healthier future for everyone.

Additionally, driving an EV may also lead to significant savings on fuel costs. The Department of Energy’s Vehicle Cost Calculator uses basic information about your driving habits to calculate total cost of ownership and emissions for makes and models of most vehicles, including alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

Initiatives & Policy

On June 22, 2017, City Council passed Resolution No. 2017-06-22-0031R (PDF) in support of the Paris Climate Agreement; directing city staff to develop a plan to help San Antonio meet the objectives of this agreement. Approximately two years later, on October 17, 2019, City Council adopted the  CAAP by Ordinance 2019-10-17-0840 (PDF).

The adoption of electric vehicles is also supported by the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Plan(PDF, 58MB) and the Ozone Attainment Master Plan(PDF, 3MB) because of the positive impact EVs have on the environment and local air quality.

To further assess the opportunities and barriers to greater electric vehicle adoption in San Antonio, the Department of Resilience & Sustainability, the Building and Equipment Services Department and CPS Energy worked with national experts to complete the Electric Vehicle Fleet Conversion and City-Wide Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Study(PDF, 3MB). The objectives of the study are to promote a common understanding of EVs, provide near-term strategies for accelerating EV adoption, outline a plan for the electrification of the municipal fleet and ensure that the benefits and costs of EVs are shared equally across residents of San Antonio.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by Sector

The following data outlines GHG emissions from key sectors in the San Antonio community in 2016.

48% Stationary Use in Buildings
  • 27% Commercial and Industrial Buildings
  • 18% Residential Buildings
  • 2% Industrial Buildings
  • 1% Energy Industries within the City
  • 0.2% Fugitive emissions from oil and natural gas system
38% Transportation
  • 34% Private Transportation (i.e., heavy trucks, light trucks and passenger cars)
  • 3% Off-road transportation
  • 0.4% Public transit
  • Less than 0.1% Waterborne navigation
8% Industrial Process & Product Use (IPPU)

8% Industrial processes occurring within the City

6% Waste
  • 2% Solid Waste generated in the City
  • 2% Closed landfills within the City
  • 2% Active landfills within the City
  • 0.1% Wastewater generated and treated within the City

Information For EV Drivers

EV Charging Stations

Resources

Incentives

There are great economic and environmental incentives to owning an EV. Here are some incentives you can take advantage of in San Antonio.

  • A federal income tax credit up to $7,500 is available for qualifying EVs purchased before September 30, 2025 through the Electric Vehicle Federal Tax Credit.
  • With paid parking, EVs can be charged for free in the short-term and long-term parking lots at the San Antonio International Airport.
  • Vehicles displaying an authorized Vehicle Placard can park for free at City of San Antonio managed downtown street parking meters or street pay stations for a period of time not to exceed the limit of the meter or pay station. To find out more information and download the application, please visit the Center City Development's Parking Division.
  • The Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program provides rebate incentives statewide to persons who purchase or lease an eligible new light-duty motor vehicle powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or hydrogen fuel cell or other electric drive (plug-in or plug-in hybrid).
  • Consumers who purchase qualified residential fueling equipment prior to December 31, 2020, may receive a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,000 by taking advantage of the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit.

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