Citywide Initiative: Mayor Turner Announces Inaugural Winners of Evolve Houston’s eMobility Microgrants

Citywide Initiative: Mayor Turner Announces Inaugural Winners of Evolve Houston’s eMobility Microgrants

HOUSTON – Today, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the winners of Evolve Houston’s eMobility Microgrants that will fund electric vehicle and charging infrastructure-related projects in many of Houston’s underserved communities. Mayor Turner was joined by the partners at Shell, NRG, CenterPoint, and the University of Houston who together founded Evolve Houston to ensure that the city is at the forefront of the transition to electric vehicles.

“Our work with Evolve Houston began in 2019 and is directly tied to the City’s Climate Action Plan dedicated to the use of renewable energy sources. The eMobility Microgrant Initiative is a culmination of my vision and the collaborative efforts from many individuals and corporate supporters who recognize the importance of the transition to electric transportation,” said Mayor Turner. “The grant winners we recognized today are trailblazers in their communities, leveraging EV technology to residents in neighborhoods that have been historically underserved.”

“NRG is proud to support meaningful progress in our communities through organizations like Evolve Houston and its eMobility Microgrant Initiative,” said NRG Vice President of Sustainable Products and Innovation Lynda Clemmons. “Congratulations to the inaugural round of recipients. Together, we’re driving positive change.”

The microgrants, each between $10,000 and $15,000, were awarded to a range of projects addressing community mobility needs through the installation of charging stations, EV-focused community awareness events, eBike and other rideshare programs, and more. This investment in community-based clean transportation projects was made possible by funding from Corporate Catalysts, GM and bp America, and through efforts from the City’s partner, Evolve Houston.

“bp is proud to support Evolve Houston’s Equity Program and help increase access to all forms of electric transportation and EV charging stations in underserved communities,” said Sujay Sharma, CEO of bp pulse Americas, bp’s EV charging brand, which is part of bp’s goal of becoming a net zero company by 2050 or sooner. “Efforts like these not only help further the transition to a lower-carbon future, they help ensure a just transition that includes all Houstonians.”

“Congratulations to all the winners and a special thanks to our Founding Members, partners and Corporate Catalysts. Our support network allowed us to launch 13 unique projects through the Round 1 microgrants,” said Evolve Houston President and Executive Director Casey Brown. “This program is designed to provide launch funding to community-based, EV ecosystem-related projects. We see significant opportunities to make meaningful progress by using an exciting new technology that is centered around community-based direction. Our governance system puts the community in charge and knows that the ideas of those that know their communities best will carry the greatest impact.”

Winners of the Round 1 eMobility Microgrants are:

Alliance for Multicultural Community Services – Youth advocacy and a charging station for the Gulfton area.

Third Ward Real Estate Council & Northern Third Ward Neighborhood Implementation Project – Inclusion of an interactive “mobility hub” to illustrate how various forms of electric transportation and EV infrastructure can function in the Third Ward as part of a larger community development initiative through real estate.

Coalition of Community Organizations – eBikes and a charging station in the Fifth Ward.

Edison Arts Foundation: EV charging station installation and green energy awareness at the Edison Center, a community revitalization project in Fort Bend.

GROW – EV education and outreach events promoting green energy careers for youth in underserved communities.

Hiram Clarke Fort Bend Houston Redevelopment Authority – Bike share program in Southwest Houston – a tool to increase Multi-Modal transportation options in Southwest Houston and while providing additional options to explore parks and trails.

Houston Southeast – Expansion of its existing rideshare program. In partnership with Uber, using their fleet of electric vehicles, the district offered free and reduced rides as a solution to mitigate parking congestion while improving public safety and access in, through and around the district.

Pangea Charging – One EV charger in two Complete Communities apartment complexes/buildings.

RYDE – Free microtransit service in the Third Ward. Two electric shuttles, 1000+ passengers per month.

Shawn R. Owens – Electric Eats – eBike food delivery service from the Third Ward food pantries to its’ senior, underserved, and immobile citizens.

South Union Community Development Corporation – Workforce development for green energy careers.

The Reflections of Christ’s Kingdom (The R.O.C.K.) Church – Broadway Campus – DC-Fast charger in South Houston/Hobby Airport area.

University of Houston-Downtown – No-cost EV charging station installation on campus.

The eMobility Microgrant Initiative is focused on providing electrification technology for the City of Houston’s Complete Communities and beyond. In addition to Corporate Catalyst support of the microgrants, the office of District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz directly contributed to RYDE and its microtransit service in the Third Ward.