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Houston innovator drives EV adoption with unique approach to car leasing, smart tech

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Chris George, United States co-lead at Octopus Electric Vehicles, joins the Houston Innovators Podcast. Photo courtesy of Octopus

Switching from a gas-powered car to an electric one can be a big change, but a Houston-based company has made things a lot easier for its customers.

Octopus Electric Vehicles US, a spinout of United Kingdom-based retail energy provider Octopus Energy, matches its users with their perfect EV lease and sets them up with smart electricity technology for at-home charging.

"We do a couple of really unique things that are not only first of its kind but really innovative," Octopus EV's US Co-Lead Chris George says on the Houston Innovators Podcast, pointing out specifically Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus, a smart feature for customers that automates energy usage to lower cost.

"We launched an Intelligent Octopus for EVs service. Instead of operating in a very narrow window — overnight — it operates dynamically," he continues.

Pulling from the success of its British EV leasing business, Octopus EV helps Texans find their ideal car to lease from the available pre-owned EVs in the state. The process is hands on, George says, and he and his team are constantly working directly with customers to find them their right make, model, mileage, and more, then setting them up for free home charging with Octopus. All this for as low as $200 a month — perfect for both EV veterans and newbies alike.

"We serve a lot of people. What we're aiming to do is to drive adoption, and we're finding that for most people this is their first EV," George says, explaining that accessibility has been an issue for aspiring EV owners.

The company is rolling out a new process this week. In addition to providing its service in a match-making capacity, now Octopus EV will be showcasing EVs so that customers can browse, test drive, and really get to see what all they like before deciding on a car. George says this new process will be a bit of an experiment.

"We're gong to be showcasing inventory around Houston so customers can see the physical car, the lease price, test drive, and get the car you want," George says. "It's going to look and feel a little different from our current product, but it's going to serve customers just the same."

On the show, George, who previously led EV adoption-focused nonprofit Evolve Houston, shares a bit about the EV industry and what he's closely watching, including growth of charging stations, multifamily charging opportunities, battery technology for EVs and resilience, and perfecting messaging for new and returning customers.

"I'm always trying to think about where are the other things where we can unlock innovation, unlock ideas that help our industry and help Houstonians," George says.

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This article originally ran on InnovationMap.

Texas is positioned to be a great state for the EV industry. Photo by Kindel Media/Pexels

How Texas is on the road to becoming a prime state for EVs, according to this expert

guest column

As Texans adopt electric vehicles, significant strides must be made to ensure public charging meets demand. Steps are being made under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program to address such needs. With new developments promising to bolster the state's infrastructure, it’s only a matter of time until all EV owners will have access to reliable and fast charging options.

NEVI Funding in Texas

Texans will benefit from NEVI funding. This federal initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance EV adoption by providing drivers with a robust and reliable network of fast chargers, particularly along corridors, i.e., highways between Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, etc. To date, Texas has been busy installing 66 fast-charging ports along those key corridors with much more to come (Electrify News Site). There are multiple phases associated with NEVI, and the first 50 sites outlined by the Texas Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan have been completed.

Enhanced Accessibility and Convenience

One of the key aspects of the NEVI-funded stations is their strategic placement in areas previously underserved by existing charging networks. This focus not only addresses range anxiety but also ensures a minimum of four chargers per site with a reliability standard of 97 percent uptime. Such strategic deployment is crucial for supporting the widespread use of electric vehicles, especially in a state as vast as Texas (Electrify News Site).

NACS Compatibility and Adapters: Bridging the Gap

To further support all EV drivers, Tesla has opened their previously closed charging network. This network’s charging system is known as the North American Charging Standard, or NACS. This will allow for other brands to leverage the largest and most reliable charging network in Texas and beyond. Now, just about every manufacturer has opted in to the NACS charging ecosystem. This standard will undoubtedly result in more coverage for all EV drivers and a true standard for the industry. You can see the list of manufacturers that have adopted NACS thus far here.

If you already drive a non-Tesla EV, don’t worry. Many manufacturers have embarked upon developing an adapter for you such as Ford. If you drive a Tesla, your options will remain more or less the same. You’ll not need an adapter with future fast charging stations.

At the end of 2023, there were roughly 19,000 Tesla Superchargers and 15,000 from the entirety of the charging community. Tesla aims to add another 7,500 by the end of 2024 in addition to $7.5B from the federal government to support all other charging initiatives.

This move is particularly beneficial for Texas, where the distances between charging stations can be vast. By enabling access to Tesla's superchargers, drivers can embark on long road trips with the assurance that a fast and reliable charging option is never far away. This increased accessibility will likely spur greater EV adoption, as drivers gain confidence in the state's charging infrastructure.

Charging at Home

The concept of fueling and charging EVs at home offers an exciting paradigm shift. Drivers often have to wait for their cars to approach Empty “E” on their dashboard. Some take it all the way down to the red line (or below) while others begin searching for gas stations once they’ve reached a quarter tank.

With EVs however, the average Houstonian who drives ~30 miles a day now has the potential to begin their day with a full charge. Those who have access to home charging can plug their cars in when they get home from work and typically make up for their daily driving/commute with a standard power outlet which offers a customer anywhere from 30-40 miles of charger over a 12 hour period.

But let’s say you’re a super commuter - someone who drives 75 miles a day or more! Starting off with a full charge every day is almost a necessity, and a standard power outlet may not cut it. Luckily, Level 2 chargers exist and serve as an incredible time and money saver. Like the average commuter, a super commuter can simply plug in a level 2 charger, and the EV will be back to full by the time they wake the next morning (offering anywhere from 20-30 miles of charge per hour). Even those who drive 150+ miles a day can confidently use their EVs as a daily driver if they have a Level 2 charger at home.

Embracing the Future

As we look to the future of transport and energy, the synergy between NEVI and Tesla’s network should create a compelling narrative for those thinking about leasing an EV. Combine that with exciting new battery tech and potential range improvements, fueled by West Texas wind and solar, Texas is positioned to be a great state for the EV industry.

———

Chris George is the United States co-lead at Octopus Electric Vehicles.

Octopus Energy announced its new program to help make the move to electric vehicle driving easier and more affordable for Texas residents. Photo via Getty Images

Houston renewable energy co. rolls out new EV program

in the driver seat

A Houston-based renewable energy provider has announced a new program to get more electric vehicle drivers on Texas roads.

Octopus Electric Vehicles, a new initiative from Houston-based Octopus Energy Group, announced its DriveFree leasing program to help make the move to electric vehicle driving easier and more affordable for Texas residents.

“DriveFree gives you the freedom to drive without worrying about the cost of filling the tank or unexpected maintenance expenses,” Octopus EV US Co-Lead Nathan Wyeth says in a news release. “With the ‘electric fuel’ for daily driving included, DriveFree is the complete package to make EVs work for Texas drivers looking to lower their driving costs without locking themselves in.”

DriveFree will include the lease of a top-quality pre-owned car with all maintenance covered. Part of this coverage includes unlimited home charging on Octopus Energy’s home energy plan.

According to Octopus Energy Group, Texas drivers will save an average of over $1,000 per year by switching from a gas car to an EV with potential to save even more depending on the previous gas vehicle make and model. Houstonians will be able to select an EV and DriveFree plan at OctopusEV.us, get approved online, and schedule delivery by an Octopus EV Specialist.

The program will cover all maintenance and tires through a mobile mechanic service to a customer’s home or office. Leasing plans range from one to four years with mileage plans up to 25,000 miles/year, and 4 brands to choose from.

In a report by SmartAsset, Texas was No. 41 of states with the most electric vehicle chargers. Last year, the city of Houston approved $281,000 funding for the expansion of free electric vehicle rideshare services in communities that are considered underserved by utilizing services like RYDE and Evolve Houston in December. DriveFree is now in the mix in helping Texas get more involved in the mix.

“With DriveFree, we wanted to address all the concerns people have about switching to electric vehicles,” Octopus EV US Co-Lead Chris George says in the news release. “For the millions of Houstonians commuting to work, driving electric can be a money saver today. For the first time, the more miles you drive, the more your savings will be!”

Octopus Electric Vehicles is part of the U.K.’s Octopus Energy Group, which first launched Octopus Energy US in Texas in 2020 after its acquisition of Evolve Energy.

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Oxy CEO Vicki Hollub to retire, Reuters reports

retirement plans

Vicki Hollub, CEO of Houston-based Occidental (Oxy), is set to retire this year, Reuters first reported Thursday.

Hollub has held the top leadership position at Oxy since 2016 and has been with the oil and gas giant for more than 40 years. Before being named CEO, she served as chief operating officer and senior executive vice president at the company. She led strategic acquisitions of Anadarko Petroleum in 2019 and CrownRock in 2024, and was the first woman selected to lead a major U.S. oil and gas company.

Reuters reports that a firm date for her retirement has not been set. Richard Jackson, who currently serves as Oxy's COO, is expected to replace Hollub in the CEO role.

Oxy is leading a number of energy transition projects.

It's subsidiary 1PointFive is developing a $1.3 billion direct air capture (DAC) project in the Midland-Odessa area that is slated to be the largest facility of its kind in the world. Known as STRATOS, it's designed to capture up to 500,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.

The company shared recently that Phase 1 of the project is expected to go online in Q2, with Phase 2 ramping up through the remainder of 2026.

“We are immensely proud of the achievements to date and the exceptional record of safety performance as we advance towards commercial startup,” Hollub said of Stratos last year.

“We believe that carbon capture and DAC, in particular, will be instrumental in shaping the future energy landscape,” she added.

Oxy was one of the first to set ambitious net-zero goals. In a 2020 interview during CERAWeek, Hollub outlined Oxy's future as a “carbon management company.”

“Ultimately, I don’t know how many years from now, Occidental becomes a carbon management company, and our oil and gas would be a support business unit for the management of that carbon. We would be not only using [CO2] in oil reservoirs [but] capturing it for sequestration as well,” Hollub said.

Oxy opened its Oxy Innovation Center in the Ion last year, focused on advancing low-carbon technology. It also operates Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, which focuses DAC, carbon sequestration and low-carbon fuels through businesses like 1PointFive, TerraLithium and others.

Hertha Metals named world's  No. 1 most innovative manufacturing co. of 2026

top innovators

Led by Conroe-based Hertha Metals, five organizations in the Houston area earned shoutouts on Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026.

Hertha Metals ranked No. 1 in the manufacturing category.

Last year, Hertha unveiled a single-step process for steelmaking that it says is cheaper, more energy-efficient and just as scalable as traditional steel manufacturing. It started testing the process in 2024 at a one-metric-ton-per-day pilot plant.

At the same time, Hertha announced more than $17 million in venture capital funding from investors such as Breakthrough Energy, Clean Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Pear VC.

“We’re not just reinventing steelmaking; we’re redefining what’s possible in materials, manufacturing, and national resilience,” Laureen Meroueh, founder and CEO of Hertha, said at the time.

Meroueh was also recently named to Inc. Magazine's 2026 Female Founders 500 list.

Hertha, founded in 2022, says traditional steelmaking relies on an outdated, coal-based multistep process that is costly, and contributes up to 9 percent of industrial energy use and 10 percent of global carbon emissions.

By contrast, Hertha’s method converts low-grade iron ore into molten steel or high-purity iron in one step. The company says its process is 30 percent more energy-efficient than traditional steelmaking and costs less than producing steel in China.

Last year, Hertha said it planned to break ground in 2026 on a plant capable of producing more than 9,000 metric tons of steel per year. In its next phase, the company plans to operate at 500,000 metric tons of steel production per year.

Here are Fast Company’s rankings for the four other Houston-area organizations:

  • Houston-based Vaulted Deep, No. 3 in catchall “other” category.
  • XGS Energy, No. 7 in the energy category. XGS’ proprietary solid-state geothermal system uses thermally conductive materials to deliver affordable energy anywhere hot rock is located. While Fast Company lists Houston as XGS’ headquarters, and the company has a major presence in the city, XGS is based in Palo Alto, California.
  • Houston-based residential real estate brokerage Epique Realty, No. 10 in the business services category. Epique, which bills itself as the industry’s first AI brokerage, provides a free AI toolkit for real estate agents to enhance marketing, streamline content creation, and improve engagement with clients and prospects.
  • Texas A&M University’s Nanostructured Materials Lab in College Station. The lab studies nano-structured materials to make materials lighter for the aerospace industry, improve energy storage, and enable the creation of “smart” textiles.

CERAWeek crowns winners of 2026 clean tech pitch competition

top teams

Twelve teams from around the country, including several from Houston, took home top honors at this year's Energy Venture Day and Pitch Competition at CERAWeek.

The fast-paced event, held March 25, put on by Rice Alliance, Houston Energy Transition Initiative and TEX-E, invited 36 industry startups and five Texas-based student teams focused on driving efficiency and advancements in the energy transition to present 3.5-minute pitches before investors and industry partners during CERAWeek's Agora program.

The competition is a qualifying event for the Startup World Cup, where teams compete for a $1 million investment prize.

PolyJoule won in the Track C competition and was named the overall winner of the pitch event. The Boston-based company will go on to compete in the Startup World Cup held this fall in San Francisco.

PolyJoule was spun out of MIT and is developing conductive polymer battery technology for energy storage.

Rice University's Resonant Thermal Systems won the second-place prize and $15,000 in the student track, known as TEX-E. The team's STREED solution converts high-salinity water into fresh water while recovering valuable minerals.

Teams from the University of Texas won first and second place in the TEX-E competition, bringing home $25,000 and $10,000, respectively. The student winners were:

Companies that pitched in the three industry tracts competed for non-monetary awards. Here are the companies named "most-promising" by the judges:

Track A | Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization

Track B | Advanced Manufacturing, Materials, & Other Advanced Technologies

  • First: Licube, based in Houston
  • Second: ZettaJoule, based in Houston and Maryland
  • Third: Oleo

Track C | Innovations for Traditional Energy, Electricity, & the Grid

The teams at this year's Energy Venture Day have collectively raised $707 million in funding, according to Rice. They represent six countries and 12 states. See the full list of companies and investor groups that participated here.

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