Austin Energy has announced an expansion of its Power Partner Electric Vehicle (PPEV) managed charging program to include several electric vehicle models from General Motors (GM). The GM models now eligible for the program are Cadillac’s Escalade IQ, LYRIQ, OPTIQ, and VISTIQ; Chevrolet’s Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Silverado EV, and Sierra EV; and GMC’s Hummer EV.
The PPEV program is designed to support energy reliability during high-demand periods, typically from June through September. During these designated Power Partner events, Austin Energy may temporarily pause or reduce the charging speed on a participant’s Level 2 EV charger or qualifying vehicle. These adjustments do not drain the battery charge and can be manually overridden at any time by participants.
Participants in the program receive a $50 bill credit upon enrollment and an additional $25 annually for continued participation. GM joins Tesla as eligible electric vehicles in the PPEV Program. Any electric vehicle can participate when using approved at-home charging stations from ChargePoint, EVoCharge, or Emporium.
Richard Genece, Austin Energy Vice President for Customer Energy Solutions, said: “Adding GM’s electric vehicle lineup to Power Partner EV is a significant step toward creating a more flexible, sustainable electric grid.” He emphasized that by enrolling in the program, “EV drivers can directly contribute to Austin’s clean energy goals while earning incentives.”
Currently, only GM and Tesla are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) where Austin Energy can directly access the vehicles themselves. The organization plans to expand PPEV further by adding more EV brands and smart charger compatibility in the future.
For more information on how to enroll and see qualifying vehicles and chargers, visit their website.
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