President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, on November 15, 2021. It’s also referred to as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which contains significant new funding for EV charging stations. Two new USDOT programs included in the act are,

• National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program ($5 billion): Provides funding to States to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.
• Discretionary Grant Program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure ($2.5 billion): A grant program strategically deploying public EV charging and other alternative fuel infrastructure along designated corridors. Up to 50% of the funding must go to community grant programs, giving priority to expanding EV charging access to rural areas, communities with limited parking spaces, along with moderate and low-income neighborhoods.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also makes EV charger installation an eligible expense per the USDOT Surface Transportation Block Grant formula program, along with funding to USDOT, DOE, and EPA to assist with the deployment of electric ferries, school buses, and port electrification. Battery production and recycling supply chains are other EV initiatives.

Below, you will find a brief overview of the most relevant programs for EV infrastructure, arranged by the administering agency.

USDOT EV Charger Funding

 

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

Gives state and local governments funding for transportation projects aimed at meeting the Clear Air Act requirements. The funds are allocated by state MPOs and DOTs to use to reduce air pollution and congestion caused by vehicles. States without these issues can use the funds to install EV charging infrastructure.

Programs eligible for CMAQ funds and other program details include.

• Eligible EV programs: Charging infrastructure, vehicle acquisition, and workforce development.
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers, nonprofits
• State grant range: $10,000,000 – $488,000,000
• Frequency of funding: Annually
• Requirements: Determined at the state level

Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP)

The program provides funding for EV infrastructure projects on or adjacent to federal land. For example, national forests, and parks. Most projects are located within ten miles of the federal land boundary. State DOTs, Tribes, and local governments can apply through their State for FLAP funding for charging infrastructure and transportation planning.

• Eligible EV programs: Charging infrastructure, vehicle acquisition, and workforce development.
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities
• State grant range: $14,000 – $35,000,000
• Frequency of funding: Varies by state
• Requirements: Up to 80% of the EV project cost can be covered by the program

Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Programs (FTA)

The program provides funding for state, local, and tribal governments to use towards the purchase or rehabilitation of vehicles producing zero or low emissions. The grants can also be used for EV infrastructure.

Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Programs use a statutory formula to determine the funding amount. It also includes two additional programs rural communities can take advantage of to use for EV bus purchasing and the necessary infrastructure. These programs are the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Discretionary Program and the Low or No Emissions Bus Discretionary Program.

• Eligible EV programs: Public vehicle acquisition and charging infrastructure
• Eligible applicants: Is determined by the type of grant request
  • Formula Grant: States, transportation providers
  • Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities (Discretionary): States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers
  • Low-No Bus (Discretionary): States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers
• Grant range: The amount is discretionary.
  • Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities: $93,000 – $18,000,000
  • Low-No Bus: $611,000 – $7,400,000
• Frequency of funding: Annual
• Requirements: Up to 80% of costs for the Bus and Bus Facilities Program, 85 percent for bus acquisition for projects that meet the Clean Air Act or ADA requirements, and 90 percent for bus-related equipment and facilities that are compliant with the Clean Air Act or ADA.

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)

Raise is a discretionary grant program open to USDOT to use towards investments in road, rail, transit, and port projects that achieve national clean energy objectives. In 2021, RAISE added programs focusing on electric vehicles and the necessary charging infrastructure.

• Eligible EV programs: Charging infrastructure, vehicle acquisition, and workforce development.
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers
• Grant range: As of 2020, the grants range from
  • Capital Awards: $4,000,000 – $25,000,000
  • Planning Activities: $140,000 – $5,000,000
• Frequency of funding: Annually
• Requirements: The program pays up to 100% for rural EV projects and 80% for urban areas.

USDA EV Charger Funding

 

Community Facilities Grant Program (rural development)

The Community Facilities Grant Program focuses on rural communities, defined as having a population of fewer than 200,000 residents. The program does not include commercial or private facilities. Instead, it is geared towards the purchase and installation of EV infrastructures at community facilities.

• Eligible EV programs: Charging infrastructure, vehicle acquisition, and workforce development, specifically for essential community facilities. For example, police, fire departments, and school programs.
• Eligible applicants: Tribes, localities, nonprofits
• Grant range: As of 2020, the average grant range is $30,000
• Frequency of funding: Ongoing
• Requirements: The population of the project area determines the requirements. Funding ranges from 15% up to 75%.

DOE EV Charger Funding

 

Vehicle Technologies Office

The DOE supports multiple projects to advance their goal of reducing fossil fuel reliance and deploying more energy-efficient vehicle technologies.

Funding Opportunity Announcements are regularly updated on the websites. Funding amounts vary, depending on program priorities and the stakeholder’s needs.

• Eligible EV programs: The eligible programs vary but typically include charging infrastructure, vehicle acquisition, and workforce development. Public and commercial charging is also eligible for grants.
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers, nonprofits, private sector, individuals
• Grant range: varies
• Frequency: varies

State Energy Program (Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office)

The state energy program (SEP) works with states, territories, and the District of Columbia to increase energy security, advance energy initiatives, and boost energy affordability.

Some states are using part of their SEP funds to build out EV charging infrastructure in rural areas.

• Eligible EV programs: The eligible programs vary but typically include charging infrastructure, vehicle acquisition, and workforce development. Public and commercial charging is also eligible for grants.
• Eligible applicants: All U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia
• Grant range: Varies according to the state
• Frequency: Varies by state

Title XVII Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects (Loan Programs Office)

Projects that support innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the United States are eligible for loans under the Title 17 Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program.

• Eligible EV programs: EV charging and the necessary infrastructure
• Eligible applicants: Project developers, including state and local governments, along with private developers.
• Grant range: Varies
• Frequency: Applicants are accepted throughout the year

EPA EV Charger Funding

 

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program

DERA funds programs protecting and improving air quality by reducing harmful diesel engine vehicle emissions. Along with grants, the program also provides rebates to help offset the cost of replacing heavy-duty vehicles with EV chargers and the necessary infrastructure.

The program offers multiple grant programs including, National Grants, Tribal and Insular Area Grants, State Grants, and School Bus Rebates.

• Eligible EV programs: Commercial charging; public transportation charging; vehicle acquisition. Using the grant for EV charging equipment is only eligible when combined with electric vehicle purchases.
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, nonprofits, and public transportation providers
• Grant range:
  • National: $44,000 – $300,000
  • Tribal and Insular Area: $155,000 – $520,000
  • State: $81,000 – $680,000
  • School Bus Rebates: $20,000 – $300,000
• Frequency: Annual

IRS EV Charger Funding

 

Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit (IRS)

EV charging infrastructure (EVSE) in place before 2022 is eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost, not to exceed $30,000. The rebates can be applied to multiple sites with EV chargers in place. Consumers may also be eligible for a tax credit of up to $1,000.

• Eligible EV programs: EV charging
• Eligible applicants: Nonprofits, private sector, individuals
• Grant range: 30 percent of eligible project costs, maximum $30,000 (or $1,000 for consumer EV users)
• Frequency: The project ended in 2021, but the government has the option of renewing the tax credits.

EV Charger Funding with Apogee Charging Solutions

As a national EV charger supplier and installer, we offer a fully turn-key EV charging solution that includes funding assistance. Apogee Charging Solutions has dedicated EV charging incentive staff that can assist your organization in rebates, incentives, tax credits, grants writing.

To speak with an Apogee Charging Solutions, EV charging funding specialist, call 484-816-2076, email [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.