In recent years, the electric vehicle (EV) landscape in Corpus Christi has undergone a significant transformation. According to the Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance (TxERTA), the number of registered EVs in the city has doubled in just two years. Back in August 2022, Corpus Christi had 594 registered EVs. However, by August 2024, that number had surged to 1,191, clearly reflecting a shift toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation.
A Growing EV Community
Corpus Christi residents like Misael Gonzalez are part of this growing EV community. Reflecting on the rapid rise of EVs in the city, Gonzalez said, “I have seen it myself. The EV population here in Corpus has definitely grown.” His sentiment is echoed by other local drivers who are embracing the benefits of electric vehicles.
Antonio Medrano, a Corpus Christi resident who owns both a gas-powered vehicle and a Tesla, highlights one of the main advantages of EV ownership—low maintenance. “The electric car has no maintenance at all whatsoever. You don’t have to change your oil or check the coolant. It’s a simpler process compared to traditional gas-powered cars,” Medrano said.
Charging Convenience and Costs
For EV owners, the convenience of charging their vehicles at home is a significant plus. Medrano, for example, has a 220-volt charger installed in his garage, allowing him to charge his car quickly. “I can go from pretty much empty to 80% in four hours in this car,” he said.
But what about those who don’t have access to a home charger? Charging at public stations is becoming more common, and the cost can vary depending on the type of charger used. According to Gonzalez, some charging stations are free, while others, like superchargers, come with a small fee. “It takes around 25 minutes to go from nearly empty to almost full at a supercharger,” Gonzalez explained. The cost? “About 14 dollars for almost a full battery,” he added.
Sustainability and the Future of EVs
Beyond convenience and cost savings, the environmental impact of EVs is a major factor driving their popularity. Medrano pointed out that electric vehicles are much more sustainable throughout their lifetime than gasoline-powered cars. “Over the whole life cycle of the vehicle itself, the electric vehicle will pollute less and release fewer carbon emissions than a gasoline vehicle,” he noted.
The future of EVs in Texas looks promising, with TxERTA predicting that there will be 600,000 electric vehicles registered in the state by 2026. As more drivers in Corpus Christi and beyond switch to electric, the shift towards cleaner and greener transportation continues to gain momentum.
The Road Ahead
Corpus Christi’s growing EV community is just one part of a larger movement taking place across the state and the entire country. Given the benefits of low maintenance, reduced charging costs, and a smaller carbon footprint, it’s no surprise that more residents are switching to electric vehicles. Moreover, as charging infrastructure expands and more affordable EV models become available, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.