HOUSTON, August 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Evolve from Houston new President and CEO Casey Brown announced a brand new equity program with the launch of the eMobility micro-grants initiative funded by Evolve Corporate Catalysts, General Motors and bp. This initiative will facilitate a peer-review process to award micro-grants to local electromobility “eMobility” projects that address community mobility needs in the Greater Houston Region. Grant applications are now available online at apply.evolvehouston.org.
Evolve President and CEO Casey Brown announces the eMobility Microgrant funding opportunity on stage at the Evolve Relaunch event.
Evolve Houston is a non-profit organization focused on improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by supporting and enabling Greater Houston field to increase the adoption of electric vehicles.
“Evolve Houston is committed to supporting a just transition to a more sustainable transportation system, so that all residents can experience the benefits of eMobility. Greater Houston The area has made significant progress in improving livability. We must continue and bring the eMobility revolution to from Houston communities that still have a disproportionate need for a cleaner environment, better services and diverse economic development,” said Grace Millsap, Evolve Houston Director of Equity and Investments. “Evolve’s eMobility micro-grants initiative will strengthen and elevate resident voices, spur community investment, and prioritize communities most impacted by climate and mobility challenges.”
Evolve created the Equity Program to address poor air quality and limited access to public transportation in vulnerable communities. Through the eMobility micro-grant initiative, Evolve will invest in local community efforts focused on improving access to all forms of electric mobility and electric vehicle charging stations. This initiative will provide additional support to mitigate the long-term negative effects of environmental injustices experienced within these communities.
“The Complete Communities initiative bridges the gap between equity and opportunity for the most underserved and underserved neighborhoods in our city. Residents living in Complete Communities have made it clear that it is time to raise the challenges of transportation and climate change that impact their quality of life,” said Shannon Bugs, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Complete Communities. “Increasing chronic air pollution and a lack of equitable mobility have disproportionately affected low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. With the help of community leaders, the Evolve Houston equity program is providing our city with a pathway to ensuring that every resident lives in a healthy, sustainable and thriving community.”
Evolve’s equity program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic activity in from Houston historically underserved neighborhoods. Micro-grant funding opportunities are expected to open in fall 2022.
Evolve’s Equity Corporate Catalysts, GM and bp, catapulted the equity program forward with generous contributions. Funds raised will have a direct impact in underserved areas of Houston.
“bp is proud to support Evolve in addressing one of the key challenges of the global energy transition: ensuring that investments in low-carbon energy reach the regions that need it most,” said Emilie Leung, Vice President of bp pulse Americas, bp’s electric vehicle charging brand that is part of bp’s ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner and help the world get there too . “This program is a small but important step in that direction for the City of Houstonand we wish Evolve every success with the launch.”
“As we look to an all-electric future, we recognize how important it is for communities to have a strong voice and resources to implement community-level changes that meet their specific needs,” said declared Jessica JamesSenior Director, GM Climate Equity Fund and Disaster Relief.
Evolve continues its fundraising efforts for the eMobility micro-grants initiative. Click here to learn more about joining the equity program as a business enabler.
Evolve is also in the process of recruiting “community champions,” individuals who will review micro-grant applications, advocate on behalf of their community, and identify projects that maximize value and impact for their neighborhoods. Evolve is currently looking to connect with community organizations and nonprofits to support the recruitment of community champions. Click here to learn more about becoming or appointing a Community Champion.
The equity program stems from Evolve studies the growth rate of EV charging stations in Greater Houston region, which highlighted that the array of existing and planned electric vehicle charging stations is heavily concentrated in and around high-income communities. This reflects an inequitable investment in low-income, minority and other frontline communities.
Transportation now accounts for 48% of total GHG emissions within the region. City of Houston. Low-income, BIPOC-dominated neighborhoods disproportionately experience the impact of climate and mobility injustices and historically have had no voice in the infrastructure decisions needed to correct these injustices.
Contact Evolve Houston to stay informed of these upcoming opportunities.
About Evolve Houston
Evolve Houston is a non-profit organization focused on leading the emerging eMobility ecosystem within Houston by promoting the adoption and education of electric vehicles. Founded in 2019 by the City of Houston Climate Action Plan, Evolve is a nonprofit coalition of sustainability-minded civic, business and academic leaders seeking to accelerate clean transportation in Houston through electrification. With founding members CenterPoint Energy, the University of HoustonNRG Energy, Shell UNITED STATESand the City of HoustonEvolve Houston’s goal is to improve regional air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater Houston Region. To learn more about Evolve Houston, visit https://evolvehouston.org/.
About General Motors
General Motors is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from consumer vehicles to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and joint ventures sell vehicles under the Chevy, Buick, GCM, Cadillac, baojun and Wuling brands. More information about the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStara global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.
About bp
bp’s ambition is to become a net zero company by 2050 or earlier, and to help the world achieve net zero. bp has been the largest U.S. energy investor since 2005, investing more than $130 billion in the economy and supporting approximately 230,000 jobs. For more information about bp in the United States, visit www.bp.com/us.
SOURCE Evolve Houston
