Ford Takes on Joint Enterprise to Benefit Texas EV Owners

Photo Source: Ford

General Overview

• The TXU Free EV Miles program provides Ford electric vehicle (EV) owners bill credits for charging during off-peak hours, likely covering all at-home charging costs.
• The program is available to Ford’s electric truck and SUV customers in Texas, with free charging hours established between 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. the following day.
• Ford aims to educate Texans on the advantages of driving electric vehicles while bolstering grid stability by motivating off-peak charging.

What Does the Partnership Between Ford and TXU Energy Entail?

On August 12, 2024, Ford and TXU Energy, Texas’ primary retail electric provider, formed an alliance to offer electric vehicle customers considerable savings on home charging through an original energy management plan. For context, the TXU Free EV Miles program supplies Ford electric vehicle owners with credits on their TXU Energy bills for electricity utilized during designated hours, conceivably covering the entire cost of at-home charging.

The TXU Free EV Miles program allows Ford electric vehicle consumers to charge their vehicles at home for free, as over 80 percent of charging occurs at home. In turn, customers will receive credits on their TXU Energy bills for all energy used for all vehicle charging between 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. the next day, year-round. This strategy advocates clean energy usage by reinforcing off-peak energy consumption and enhancing grid dependability.

The Significance of Cultivating Knowledge

The automaker aims to educate Texans about the perks of relying on electric vehicles while motivating them to charge when grid demand is low, potentially preventing outages. The initiative presents adaptability, allowing customers 18 hours a day to charge without additional fees. To that end, by utilizing the Preferred Charge Times in the FordPass application or in-vehicle touchscreen unit, drivers can schedule charging within TXU Energy’s free hours.

Moreover, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Escape Plug-in Hybrid, and F-150 Lightning consumers can prosper from bill credits regardless of their home charging hardware. Enrolling in the Free EV Miles energy plan is accompanied by further benefits such as a $100 welcome bonus from Ford and a $250 bonus from TXU Energy for remaining enrolled for at least a year. Once confirmed, consumers will begin receiving automatic rebates for at-home charging costs during free hours. 

In the unlikely event that customers need to charge outside of the free hours, they will pay a fixed rate, identical to their home rate. It is worth noting that this setup allows TXU Energy and Ford to evaluate customer enthusiasm surrounding upcoming retail energy offerings that encourage the advancement of grid stability in Texas. The success of such an endeavor would be monumental, as Texas ranked third in electric vehicle sales nationwide in the 2023 model year. It would not only capture the interest of potential customers but also support the growing electric vehicle market.

The Program’s Flexibility

This cooperative effort aims to decrease costs and develop greater resilience within Texas’ electrical grid.

“Encouraging our electric vehicle customers to charge at off-peak hours through programs like Free EV Miles helps to save them money while supporting a more sustainable, resilient electrical grid. Ford electric SUV and trucks already have a lower operating and maintenance cost compared to gas-powered vehicles, and at-home charging offers additional financial perks and future vehicle-to-grid services never before possible, which Ford is committed to leading for our customers.”

–Bill Crider, senior director, global charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company

Indeed, the collaboration aligns with TXU Energy’s wider goal of teaching customers about the advantages of owning an electric vehicle, eliminating obstacles to making the transition and boosting grid resiliency.

Electric Vehicles are Charging Forward at Sunrise Ford!

Enrollment for the Free EV Miles program is now open to interested Ford and current or future TXU Energy customers. For further information or to check eligibility, visit www.txu.com/freeevmilesford. This partnership forms the foundation of broader efforts that will soon expand beyond Texas. Your interest in electric vehicles can be fulfilled at our dealership, where you can purchase a new or used vehicle and learn all about electric vehicle tax credits.