From Facebook to the freeway. That’s where TXU Energy is taking a sweepstakes that highlights the unpredictable nature of variable rate electricity plans in Texas. Some of these plans have spiked as much as 100 percent or more with no advance warning for unsuspecting consumers. The company is driving that message home by giving away a new 2012 Chevrolet Volt to one lucky participant in its new TXU Energy No Vari-a-BULL Sweepstakes.

The promotion offers Texas electricity customers a chance to win the free electric vehicle (EV) if they switch to a TXU Energy plan between today and December 31, 2011. They can also enter by sharing their own “wild ride” experiences with variable rate electricity plans via the company’s Facebook page; plus, participants can share the sweepstakes with their friends and receive an additional chance to win if five of their Facebook friends also enter by sharing their own variable rate stories.

The contest launched today and is open to Texas residents, age 21 and over, who live in deregulated electricity market areas. Full sweepstakes details are available at facebook.com/txuenergy. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

The sweepstakes is TXU Energy’s newest effort to generate awareness and caution consumers about the risks of variable rate electricity plans, which typically can increase as much and as often as providers choose with no advance warning to customers. TXU Energy does not offer variable rate plans and provides more information on these types of plans at txu.com/novariable. The company also cautions Texans to pay attention to when their contract terms end, because some retailers move customers to variable rate plans once their terms expire. 

According to TXU Energy chief marketing officer Michael Grasso, the new sweepstakes extends the company’s conversation with consumers across Texas, including those who shared their own stories about the wild rides they experienced with some variable rate plans through the summer.

“At TXU Energy, we don’t offer variable rate electricity plans,” he said, “because we care about helping our customers control what they spend on electricity. Customers deserve the peace of mind that comes with stable pricing and no surprises. That’s the driving force behind the customer relationships which we are highlighting with our new sweepstakes.”

The grand prize of the sweepstakes, a Chevrolet Volt, is a plug-in EV with extended range for driving. In addition to the Volt, TXU Energy is also awarding the sweepstakes winner $5,000 to help offset costs like taxes and the optional installation of a charging station for his or her home.

The winner of the sweepstakes will be notified in early 2012 and will drive home in a Volt, the car that has been recognized as 2012 World Green Car of the Year, North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend 2011 Car of the Year and Green Car Journal's 2011 Green Car of the Year.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EVs and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have many benefits compared with conventional vehicles, including better fuel economy, lower fuel costs, increased energy security and more. When running on electricity, they can cost just $0.02 to $0.04 per mile in fuel (based on average U.S. electricity price).

About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retailer that provides electricity and related services to approximately 2 million electricity customers in Texas. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004.