A coalition of government, business, and academic leaders are joining forces to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Houston by accelerating transportation powered by electricity, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced today.
The partnership, EVolve Houston, says its goal is to boost electric vehicle sales to 30% of new car sales in Houston by 2030.
EVolve Houston has set short- and long-term goals for increased reliance on electrified regional transportation and focuses on increasing the awareness, affordability and availability of such vehicles.
Action on these priorities would help the city achieve the goals in its Climate Action Plan, which calls for Houston to become “carbon neutral” by 2050.
The partnership will work with industry, local businesses, and the community on pilot projects, demonstrations, and awareness activities to promote electric vehicle adoption.
“This new partnership will help solidify Houston’s success as a leader in transportation technology and it will help improve air quality for the citizens of Houston and beyond, by reducing reliance on vehicles powered by carbon-based fuels,” Mayor Turner said.
“Houston will now have a dedicated resource working to increase the adoption of electric vehicles, wherever it makes sense to do so. Nearly half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Houston come from transportation,” the mayor said. “Shifting to zero emissions forms of transportation is a key strategy to help us meet our ambitious climate goals and improve our regional air quality.”
EVolve Houston is led by representatives from the public, private and academic sectors, including the City of Houston’s Office of the Mayor and the Administrative and Regulatory Affairs Department, CenterPoint Energy, the University of Houston, LDR, NRG Energy, and Shell.
Renu Khator, University of Houston chancellor: “Houston has bold goals to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To do that, we must make a major impact on one of the largest sources of emissions, which is transportation.”
Scott Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy: “We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities we touch, and environmental stewardship is an integral component of our overall corporate responsibility approach. I am proud to partner with Mayor Turner and other founding members of EVolve Houston to help accelerate clean transportation for Houston.”
Mauricio Gutierrez, president and CEO of NRG Energy: ”EVolve Houston is a great example of how public and private partnerships have the potential to bring meaningful progress toward decarbonizing our economy. NRG is proud to be a founding partner with this innovative organization, supporting the electrification of transportation in Houston.”
Jason Klein, Shell VP US Energy Transition Strategy: “Evolution of the transport sector will have a significant impact on Houston’s efforts to meet growing demands for transport while tackling climate change. Transportation electrification will play a significant role in this transformation. We are proud to call Houston home and to work with our EVolve co-founders to meet current and future mobility needs and support Houston’s continued energy sector leadership.”
Ryan P. Martin, partner of LDR, the program management partner of EVolve Houston: “Houston has continuously demonstrated its growing position as America’s premier ‘City of the Future’ and EVolve Houston is another testament to the collective dedication of Houston’s public and private leaders to advancing Houston in terms of modernized transportation and new energy technologies.”
For more information on EVolve Houston and the Electric Vehicle Roadmap, please visit: www.evolvehouston.org.
