Ford & TXU Offer Texas Residents Free Off-Peak Electric Vehicle Charging

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Ford and TXU Energy announced this week they have partnered to create a unique retail energy offering for Ford electric SUV and truck customers in Texas. The TXU Free EV Miles program gives Ford EV drivers the ability to charge their vehicle at home completely free, since more than 80 percent of charging occurs at home. Ford EV customers will receive a credit on their TXU Energy bill for any home energy used to charge their vehicle during free charging hours — from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. the next day — year-round.

Ford says it is taking this opportunity to educate Texans about the benefits of driving electric while also incentivizing consumers to charge when demand on the grid is lowest. Designed for flexibility, the program gives customers 18 hours per day to charge for free. With simple charge scheduling through the Preferred Charge Times feature in the FordPass app or by using their in-vehicle touchscreen, Ford electric SUV and truck drivers can ensure that charging occurs only during TXU Energy’s free hours. In the unlikely event that customers need to charge outside of free hours, they will pay a simple, flat rate — the same rate they pay for the rest of their home. With this foundation in place, Ford and TXU Energy will test customer interest in additional future retail energy offerings that further incentivize customers to support the state’s grid stability. Sales of electric vehicles in Texas were the third highest of any U.S. state in 2023.

“By encouraging our electric vehicle customers to charge during off-peak hours through programs like Free EV Miles, they save money and support a more sustainable, resilient grid,” said Bill Crider, senior director, global charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company. “Ford’s electric SUVs and trucks already have lower operating and maintenance costs compared to gas-powered vehicles, and home charging offers additional financial benefits and future vehicle-to-grid services never before possible, which Ford is committed to leading for our customers.”

The program allows Ford F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E and Escape plug-in hybrid customers to take advantage of bill credits regardless of what hardware they use to charge their vehicles at home. When Ford drivers enroll in the Free EV Miles energy plan, they also receive additional benefits from both Ford and TXU Energy, including a $100 welcome bonus from Ford and a $250 bonus from TXU Energy for remaining enrolled for one year. Once enrolled and verified, customers will automatically receive discounts on home charging costs during free charging hours.

“This partnership with Ford is fully aligned with TXU Energy’s broader strategy to educate customers about the benefits of EV ownership, remove barriers to adoption, and increase grid resilience,” said Sam Sen, vice president of energy transition solutions for TXU Energy. “We’re proud to support Ford’s Texas EV customers with flexible, free charging hours and the significant cost savings that come with it.” Those interested in the new program can visit TXU Energy website to register, check your eligibility or request more information.

In an email to The EdgeFord spokesman Eddie Fernandez wrote that the program is “tentatively scheduled to run through 2026 with the goal of continuing.” The program is currently exclusive to Ford customers, but could be expanded to other automakers in the future, Fernandez said, who also confirmed that Lincoln plug-in hybrids are included in the deal. To get the free charging deal, customers must give TXU access to their vehicle’s charging information through the My FordPass app, which is then linked to the utility’s billing system.

TXU Energy is one of the largest and best-known energy companies in Texas. It serves customers in most parts of the state, but not in Austin, El Paso and other areas that are not part of the deregulated market. The company offers a number of innovative programs, including the Free nights and sunny days plan, the most popular program. It helps Texans sleep cool and comfortable every night with free electricity and feel good all day with solar power. Customers enjoy 9 hours of free electricity at night and can benefit from 100% solar power during the day without having to install solar panels on their roof. It’s refreshing to see a forward-thinking energy company, especially in a state where progressive ideas aren’t always welcomed.

We recently did a story about the costs of charging an electric car compared to the cost of gasoline for a conventional vehicle. We mentioned that EV drivers may find very attractive offers from their local utility that can significantly reduce the operating costs of their vehicles. The Ford/TXU Free EV Miles program is proof that such opportunities exist.

Of course, the program only works for drivers who can charge their electric vehicles at home, and it doesn’t include financial assistance to purchase an EV charger or pay an electrician to install charging equipment at the customer’s home. Those two costs can total $2,000 or more, depending on a variety of factors, including the age of the home’s electrical panel and how far away the charger will be from the panel. However, a federal tax rebate of up to $1,000 is available thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, and other state and local government rebates or incentives may be available as well. And if you already have a 120- or 220-volt outlet near your parking space, you may not have to spend a dime. Just use the charging cable that came with your Ford electric vehicle.

Ford's electric vehicles haven't exactly been flying off dealership counters lately, largely because potential customers aren't fully understand the loading piece of the puzzle. That’s because Ford and its competitors have done a poor job of educating potential customers about electric vehicles, how they’re different from conventional cars, and how they’re superior in many ways to old-fashioned internal combustion engine cars. That makes this partnership with TXU Energy all the more welcome. When people learn that they can get 80 percent or more of the electricity they need to power a Ford electric vehicle for free, that could go a long way toward lowering their defenses to the point where they feel comfortable owning an electric car or truck with the Blue Oval logo on the front.