Most utility rebate pages in this series pay one number for one action. Austin Energy runs two programs that both touch the same charger — a one-time install rebate with a brand-dependent tier, and a separate ongoing enrollment program with its own bill credits — and conflating them is the easiest way to leave money on the table or misjudge what you’re actually eligible for.
The install rebate: $900, or $1,200 if your charger is on the approved list
Austin Energy’s Home EV Charger Rebate pays 50% of the cost to buy and install a qualifying Level 2 (240V) home charging station, capped at $1,200 for equipment on the Power Partner EV approved list, or $900 for any other qualifying charger. That’s a real $300 swing based purely on which model your electrician installs — worth checking before you buy, not after.
| Detail | Austin Energy 2026 terms |
|---|---|
| Power Partner EV-compatible charger | Up to $1,200 (50% of cost) |
| Non-compatible qualifying charger | Up to $900 (50% of cost) |
| Installer requirement | Licensed Texas TECL electrician, Austin Energy's approved list |
| Permit requirement | City of Austin electrical permit + inspection (hardwired installs) |
| Equipment listing | Must be new, UL/ETL/cETL-listed |
| Funding window | First-come, first-served through Dec 31, 2026 |
| Rebate limit | One per EV lease or purchase |
| Separate stackable bonus | Power Partner EV enrollment: $50 + $25/yr (~$75 total) |
The list that decides your tier: ChargePoint and Emporia, mostly
As of 2026, the Power Partner EV approved-charger list is short and specific — several ChargePoint Home Flex variants (model numbers CPH25-L25-P, CPH25-L25, CPH25-L18-P, CPH25-L18, and the CPH50 NEMA versions) and the Emporia EMEVSE1. Tesla owners (Model 3, S, X, Y, Cybertruck) and select 2024-2026 GM EVs qualify through the vehicle’s own telematics instead of a specific charger model, which is worth knowing if you’re leaning Tesla Wall Connector but want the higher tier — check whether your car itself clears the bar before assuming the charger has to.
ChargePoint Home Flex
- ChargePoint is one of only two charger brands named on Austin Energy's Power Partner EV approved list, which is what unlocks the $1,200 tier instead of $900.
- Wi-Fi connectivity is required for demand-response enrollment either way, so it's already built in rather than something you'd need to add.
- See our full ChargePoint Home Flex review for which of the six SKU variants matches Austin Energy's approved model numbers.
Waiting on your rebate application to clear before you commit to a charger? Try Amazon Prime free for 30 days first — two-day shipping means you’re not stuck ordering weeks ahead of your electrician’s install date.
Emporia EV Charger (EMEVSE1)
- The Emporia EMEVSE1 is the second (and only other) charger model named on the Power Partner EV list, and it's typically the lower-cost route to the $1,200 tier compared to ChargePoint.
- Its companion app handles the peak-hour scheduling that Power Partner EV enrollment requires, so accepting the 2-7 p.m. demand-response window doesn't need a separate device.
- Read our full Emporia EV charger review for how the Classic and Pro versions compare on amperage and panel headroom.
The bonus most people never find: Power Partner EV enrollment itself
Buying an approved charger only earns the $1,200 install-rebate tier. To collect the separate $75 in bill credits, you have to actually enroll in Power Partner EV through your charger or vehicle manufacturer’s platform (ChargePoint, Emporia, GM, or Tesla) — it doesn’t happen automatically just because you bought qualifying hardware. Enrollment gets you a $50 bill credit up front, plus another $25 after a full year of continued participation. In exchange, Austin Energy can remotely adjust your charging speed during peak demand events — typically 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., capped at 4 hours per event and 15 events a month — though you can override any single event without losing your credits.
What the charger has to meet either way
Three requirements apply regardless of which rebate tier you land in:
- Licensed Texas electrician, Austin Energy’s approved list — DIY installs don’t qualify, and the electrician needs a valid TECL license number for your application.
- New equipment, UL/ETL/cETL-listed — used or transferred chargers don’t count, even if they’re an approved model.
- City of Austin permit and inspection — required for hardwired installs, and Austin Energy states it may substitute its own equipment during the commitment period in some program structures, so read your specific offer letter closely.
How to actually claim it
- Hire a licensed electrician from Austin Energy’s approved installer list.
- Complete the install with the required City of Austin permit and inspection.
- Apply online at rebates.austinenergy.com, submitting your account number, electrician license details, charger manufacturer/model, vehicle VIN, and proof of lease or purchase.
- Separately enroll in Power Partner EV through your charger or vehicle manufacturer’s platform if you want the additional $75 in bill credits — this is not automatic.
The bottom line
Austin Energy’s rebate is genuinely one of the better utility programs in this series — a $1,200 ceiling rivals PG&E and PSE&G — but it’s really two overlapping decisions, not one. The charger you buy decides whether you land at $900 or $1,200, and a completely separate enrollment step decides whether you also collect roughly $75 more for letting the utility manage your charging during Texas’s hottest afternoon hours. Our EV charger rebate guide covers other utilities nationally if Texas isn’t your state, and our EV charger installation cost guide breaks down what the underlying wiring project runs before either rebate tier is applied.