HOUSTON, TX (April 22, 2024) – In celebration of Earth Day 2024, Evolve Houston, a public-private collaboration that convenes public entities, industry leaders, and community residents to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, proudly announces the eMobility Microgrants Initiative winners of Round 2.
"Evolve Houston's eMobility Microgrant Initiative is a groundbreaking investment program that empowers historically underserved communities right here in the Energy Capital of the World," stated Casey Brown, President and Executive Director of Evolve Houston. "We've already seen tremendous success in Round 1 of the initiative, with several projects scaling significantly and making a real impact in their communities. This initiative exemplifies the power of community-driven change, and we're thrilled to be part of these incredible projects taking shape across Houston.”
Building on the success of the inaugural round, Evolve Houston is in the process of awarding $15,000 grants to 16 community organizations. These grants support innovative projects that expand access to EVs, micromobility options, and charging infrastructure in historically underserved neighborhoods across the Greater Houston region.
“Evolve Houston is proud to announce the winners of Round 2 of the eMobility Microgrant Initiative, and we are looking forward to seeing the positive impact of each of our winners’ projects,” said Grace Millsap, Director of Equity & Investment at Evolve Houston. “As we continue to support building a cleaner, more equitable transportation system in Houston, our focus remains on amplifying community voices to drive change and address the needs of the underserved communities in which our grant winners live and work.”
Evolve Houston was established in 2019 and funding is led by the 2024 Founding Members – Shell, CenterPoint Energy, the University of Houston, and the City of Houston – to achieve a shared goal: 50% of all new vehicles to be EVs in the Greater Houston Area by 2030. General Motors (GM) and bp America lead the initiative as Corporate Catalysts, providing dedicated funding for the eMobility Microgrants Initiative. With the closure of the first round and projects kicked off for Round 2, the eMobility Microgrants Initiative is now poised for strategic scaling, bring the benefits of clean transportation to even more residents across Houston.
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Round 2 eMobility Microgrant Winners:
- DrinKicks - Electrified Education: Creating a pop-up educational experience that will collaborate with schools to teach students about sustainability and electric mobility through coloring books, comic books, and virtual reality.
- Eight Million Stories, Inc. - 8MS Works - Explore EV Program: Providing inner-city high school students with EV fundamentals, including certification and career exploration opportunities in the EV industry.
- Friends of Columbia Tap - Cycling Toward Our Future: Providing electric tricycles to young mothers and seniors in Houston's Third Ward and Cuney Homes, along with maintenance training and educational materials.
- Greater First Baptist Church (GFB) - GFB EV Charging Stations & Community Outreach: Installing two Level II EV charging stations on GFB campus and providing community education on the benefits of EVs.
- GROW: Green Resources & Opportunities Workforce - Ken Williams: Providing eBikes and EV education at outreach events promoting green energy careers to youth in underserved communities.
- h.u.e. Tehnology - ChargeIT EV Mobile Charging Trailer: Fabricating a custom-built trailer for Level 2/3 EV charging, equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, for disaster response efforts.
- HYPE Freedom School, Inc. - EV Literacy on the Lawn: Implementing a youth-led EV service-learning initiative targeting residents of Sunnyside neighborhood to close knowledge gaps about EVs that will culminate in an EV-focused community awareness event.
- Texas Southern University Foundation: Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice - E-Scoots Skills Program: Training participants from underserved communities in e-scooter maintenance skills and mapping eMobility workforce opportunities.
- Ivy Leaf Farms - Electric Delivery & Alternate Modes of Transportation for Food Delivery: Building EV infrastructure through purchasing and using an EV for food delivery to the Sunnyside and South Park communities.
- RYDE Enterprises LLC - RYDE: On-demand Micro Transit - Third Ward Houston Expansion: Adding additional EVs to support growing demand for micro transit in Third Ward.
- ScottysBikes LLC - Transportation Desert Mobile Oasis: Evolve the 5th Ward Through Sustainable Transportation: Conducting workshops to teach residents of Fifth Ward about electric bicycles and gifting eBikes to participants who pass a quiz.
- Sumn Inc. - Sumn | Concept Neighborhoods: Purchasing two EVs to start piloting EV car-sharing initiatives in Second Ward community to make sustainable transportation accessible and inclusive.
- The Alliance for Multicultural Community Services - Improving the Environmental Impact of Refugee Driver’s Education Through eMobility: Purchasing an EV for the Driver’s Education program to familiarizing clients with driving electric, reducing environmental impact, and providing awareness about EV benefits.
- The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice - The Texas Southern University Environmental Justice Climate Corp E-Bike Proposal: Providing education, outreach, and training of TSU students and surrounding communities about the use and benefits of electric bikes.
- Third Ward Real Estate Council - EV Toolkit & Mobility Station: Installing an EV charging station on the historic Emancipation corridor and producing a toolkit for EV infrastructure installation.
- Worldwide Barrier Breakers - Breaking Barriers in our Community: Purchasing an EV to expand grocery and meal delivery programs for underserved neighborhoods, promoting EV technology benefits and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
About Evolve Houston
Evolve Houston, a 501(c)3, is a public-private collaboration that convenes public entities, industry leaders, and community residents to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption and deliver real benefits to the community through the shared values of environment, economy, and equity. With the leadership and collaboration of Evolve’s Corporate Sponsors, Evolve improves air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the accelerated adoption of EVs in the Greater Houston region. Evolve Houston’s goal is to lead the region in achieving 50% of new vehicles sold to be electric vehicles by 2030.
Become a partner in driving equitable transportation solutions in Houston. Learn more about our Equity Program and investment opportunities by emailing [email protected].
