“Let’s achieve zero emissions together, y’all” was the message at Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s recent news conference, where he called UHD a trailblazer alongside the 12 other recipients of Evolve Houston’s eMobility Microgrants.

That’s right: UHD was in Round One to receive funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. UHD’s EV charging station has already been installed in the Daly Parking Lot north of the College of Sciences and Technology, home to UHD’s Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (CUAS), another example of UHD leading the charge to build sustainable neighborhoods by creating stable urban ecosystems.

The EV charging station (near the corner of Main and Naylor) is free to everyone displaying a valid UHD permit, in keeping with the mission of Evolve Houston. A nonprofit founded by Shell, NRG, CenterPoint, and the University of Houston, Evolve Houston aims to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting and enabling the Greater Houston Area to increase electric vehicle adoption.

The point of the eMobility Microgrants is to fund projects related to electric vehicle and charging infrastructure in many of Houston’s underserved communities. Turner wants 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 goal is that 50% of all new vehicles sold by 2030 will be electric. “Equity is at the core of our efforts regarding sustainability. The grant winners we recognized today are trailblazers in their communities, leveraging EV technology to residents in neighborhoods that have been historically underserved.”