AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Energy received a $15 million federal investment to add electric vehicle charging ports throughout the city, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) shared in a Tuesday announcement.
The dollars will go toward publicly accessible charging resources within neighborhoods, community centers, public schools and other sites across Austin. The funding came courtesy the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Doggett confirmed in the release.
The funding comes as city officials continue to work on minimizing carbon emissions and prioritize renewable energy resources. More than 200 new charging ports will be added now through the federal dollars, and the funding will also double the number of fast chargers within the city, Doggett said.
“This $15 million grant is a game-changer for Austin’s transition to an electrified transportation system that prioritizes accessibility and equity for everyone in our community,” Mayor Kirk Watson said in the release. “Austin has already established itself as a leader in electric vehicle adoption, and this investment in charging infrastructure will ensure our city remains at the forefront of clean transportation innovation.”
