Ford F-150 Lightning (Photo: Ford Motor Co.)
Irving-based TXU Energy has partnered with Ford Motor Co. on a new energy offering for Ford Electric SUV and truck customers in Texas.
The new offering is called the TXU Energy Free EV Miles program and offers participating Ford electric vehicle customers the opportunity to charge their vehicles at home during off-peak hours for virtually no charge. The companies said about 80% of charging occurs at home.
“By encouraging our electric vehicle customers to charge during off-peak hours through programs like TXU Energy’s Free EV Miles, they can save money while supporting a more sustainable, stable electric grid,” said Bill Crider, senior director of global charging and energy services at Ford, in a statement. “Ford electric vehicles generally have lower operating and maintenance costs than gasoline-powered vehicles, and home charging and future vehicle-to-grid services offer additional financial benefits not previously possible. Ford is committed to delivering these benefits to its customers.”
Participating Ford electric vehicle customers will receive a credit on their TXU Energy bill for all electricity they use to charge their vehicle during free off-peak charging hours between 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. the following day, year-round, TXU Energy said.
Ford said the program aims to educate Texans about the benefits of driving electric while encouraging consumers to charge when demand on the grid is lower. TXU said the offering is designed for flexibility, allowing participating customers to charge for free for up to 18 hours a day.
Savings for owners of electric vehicles while “increasing grid stability”
By scheduling through the Preferred Charging Times feature in the FordPass app or on the vehicle screen, drivers of Ford electric SUVs and trucks can ensure charging only occurs during TXU Energy’s off-peak hours, TXU said. If charging is required during off-peak hours, participants will pay the same rate as for the rest of their home, according to TXU.
TXU said that on that basis, it will partner with Ford to test customer interest in additional future retail electricity offerings that will further incentivize customers to support grid stability in Texas. Texas was the third-largest state in the country for electric vehicle sales in 2023.
TXU Energy said the program allows Ford F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E and Escape PHEV customers to benefit from bill credits regardless of what hardware they use to charge their vehicle at home. Once Ford drivers enroll in the plan, they’ll also receive additional perks from Ford and TXU Energy, including a $100 welcome bonus from Ford and a $250 bonus from TXU Energy if they stay enrolled for a year.
Customers who are registered and verified will automatically receive a refund for home charging costs during off-peak charging hours, TXU said.
“This partnership with Ford fits perfectly into TXU Energy’s broader strategy to educate customers on the benefits of owning an electric vehicle, remove barriers to transition and increase grid stability,” said Sam Sen, vice president of energy transition solutions at TXU Energy, in a statement. “We are proud to support Ford’s Texas electric vehicle customers with flexible, free charging times and the significant cost savings that come with them.”
Add yourself to the list.
Dallas innovates every day.
Sign up to stay updated daily on news and events in Dallas-Fort Worth.
READ MORE
-
By building a solar farm on a former municipal landfill, Farmers Branch aims to be the first city in Texas to power all of its facilities with 100% locally generated renewable electricity. Groundbreaking is planned for early next year, with commissioning expected as early as fall 2024.
-
Industrial process heat is used in the production of everything from the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the steel and paint on our cars. Richardson-based Skyven is working to decarbonize this process with heat recovery systems that reduce carbon emissions—and with public-private funding. The real-world impacts of its California Dairies projects show how Skyven’s model in action reduces emissions and costs.
-
Solidion Technology’s patented Bipolar Electrode-to-Pack (BEEP) technology aims to simplify the design and manufacture of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. This is achieved by requiring only one package and a small number of terminals, rather than the hundreds of packages and terminals required by today’s electric vehicle batteries.
-
Nate Graham will be responsible for all aspects of enterprise-wide IT operations, including architecture, development and infrastructure, and for ensuring seamless alignment between the technology roadmap and LRE’s strategic goals.
-
The $30 million project, led by UTD, aims to “accelerate the transition and scaling of next-generation batteries” while reducing reliance on scarce critical materials. Led by UTD biology professor Dr. Kyeongjae Cho, the initiative will include the construction of a new research facility at the Richardson IQ.
