Austin Energy has announced the expansion of its Power Partner Electric Vehicle (PPEV) managed charging program to include several electric vehicle models from General Motors. The program, which aims to support energy reliability during periods of high demand—typically from June through September—now allows owners of eligible GM vehicles to participate alongside Tesla drivers.
The PPEV program works by temporarily pausing or reducing the charging speed on a participant’s Level 2 EV charger or qualifying vehicle during designated Power Partner events. According to Austin Energy, these adjustments are minor, do not drain the battery charge, and can be manually overridden at any time.
Customers who enroll in the PPEV program receive a $50 bill credit upon enrollment and an additional $25 annually for continued participation.
“Adding GM’s electric vehicle lineup to Power Partner EV is a significant step toward creating a more flexible, sustainable electric grid,” said Richard Genece, Austin Energy Vice President for Customer Energy Solutions. “By enrolling in the program, EV drivers can directly contribute to Austin’s clean energy goals while earning incentives.”
In addition to direct participation by GM and Tesla vehicles, any electric vehicle can take part in the PPEV Program if it uses approved at-home charging stations from ChargePoint, EVoCharge, or Emporium. Currently, only GM and Tesla are original equipment manufacturers where Austin Energy can directly access the vehicles themselves.
Austin Energy has stated that it will continue expanding the PPEV program with plans to add more electric vehicle brands and smart charger compatibility in the future.
More information about enrollment and qualifying vehicles is available on Austin Energy’s website at http://www.austinenergy.com/ppev.
