Austin Energy launches new program that brings electric vehicle curriculum and charging stations to local schools

For the first time in Texas, electric vehicle charging stations, coupled with curriculum about electric vehicles, green energy and sustainable mobility, are available for a local school district through a new program called EVs for Schools. Through public-private partnerships, Austin Energy, along with ChargePoint and Smart Charge America, provided and installed dual-port charging stations at four Austin Independent School District campuses. School staff, students, parents and visitors can use the new EV-charging stations. The EVs for Schools partners will celebrate the launch of the new program at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Akins High School.

Charging stations are installed at Akins, Lanier and Travis High schools, as well as Kealing Middle School. All AISD schools will receive a teacher’s kit and educational materials being developed with program partners in collaboration with EcoRise. The curriculum has an interactive component as it correlates with the charging stations, enabling teachers and students to utilize these stations to collect data and measure usage.

EVs for Schools is part of Austin Energy’s EVs are for EVeryone initiative. This work brings electric vehicle programs and support to all community members including low to moderate income groups. The goal is to create a future of mobility that is equitable, affordable and accessible while helping the environment. 

“Success with this unique partnership will help Austin achieve its affordability and climate protection goals and opens the door to launch programs like it in other schools and school districts in the Austin area,” said Jackie Sargent, Austin Energy General Manager.

Through various bond projects, AISD will also be retrofitting 17 campuses to make them EV-ready in coming months. 

"We are grateful to all of our partners that made this happen,” said AISD Sustainability Manager Darien G. Clary, MPH, LEED GA. “It shows a commitment, not only to environmental stewardship, but to exciting and innovative approaches to learning." 

 EVs for Schools program features

• Participating schools each receive a dual port electric vehicle charging station for staff, students and visitors to use.
• School charging stations facilitate educational living lab opportunities for collecting data and measuring usage. Participating schools will receive a teacher kit and specialized training with STEM curriculum about electric vehicle, green energy and sustainable mobility.
• EV drivers can charge at these stations for $4.17/month through Austin Energy’s Plug-In EVerywhere℠ program, which provides unlimited charging at 700+ local public ports.
• All stations are powered by 100 percent renewable Texas wind energy through Austin Energy’s GreenChoice® program.

Learn more about EVs for Schools.