Installing an EV charging infrastructure can be expensive but federal grants, tax rebates, and other financial incentives will help lower overall costs. Finding these financial incentive programs can be challenging, so here’s a brief guide to help you get started.

Federal Grants for EV Charging Infrastructure

Some of the federal grant programs that help make EV charging infrastructure more affordable include the following from the US Department of Transportation (DOT).

• Surface Transportation Block Grants (STBG) typically supports parking facilities but the monies from the program can also be used to help offset the cost of EV charging infrastructure.
• The National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) supports the national highway system. Funds from the program are being used for highway maintenance and to erect new parking facilities. While states are allocated a specific amount from the program, they have some latitude on how the money is spent. The funds are transferable to other programs that include air quality improvement. In some instances, up to 100% of the funds can be used to support EV charging infrastructure.
• Urbanized Area and Rural Area Formula Grants is a federal program providing financial incentives for electric bus purchases and the necessary charging infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) also offers federal grants and other incentives that include state energy programs (SEP) that provide financial and technical assistance to states and tribal councils to help offset the costs associated with EV chargers and the necessary infrastructure.

The EPA and Financial Incentives

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supporting the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA). The act is working to replace diesel engines with zero tailpipe emission options. Funding from the act can cover up to 60% of the labor and equipment costs. It also covers up to 45% of the costs associated with EV purchases, including charging infrastructure.

Additional Federal Financial Incentives

CMAQ grants can be applied to the purchase of EV chargers and other infrastructure. Some examples of how the funding can be used include,

• Supporting Unitrans bus fleet by installing 14 EV chargers in Sacramento, CA.
• Purchasing support for EV charging stations in Laporte, IN.
• Funds to install 30 dual-port Level 2 EV chargers for use by MassDot in Massachusetts. The funds also purchased 7 fast-charging units.

Build grants are helping Miami-Dade County in Florida add EV parking and charging stations. There are also Low or No Vehicle Emission grants that are helping to accomplish the following,

• EV bus purchases in Tucson, Az, and Rochester, NY, along with the necessary charging infrastructure.
• Support for Park City’s, Utah’s expanding electric bus fleet
• Financial support for the purchase of EV batteries, charging units, and infrastructure in Racine, WI.

You can also take advantage of bus and facility federal grants that work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These financial incentives also apply to charging infrastructure. Some of these incentives, like the FTA Capital Investment Grants award cities with the financial means necessary to build a corridor-based route for EV buses and charging infrastructure. IN 2019, Spokane, WA received $53 million to support its 6-mile EV bus route.

The Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Program also supports the purchase of EVs and charging infrastructure at airports. The program is working to improve air quality around airports and helping them meet their obligations under the Clean Air Act. Some examples of how airports are taking advantage of the financial incentives offered in the program include,

• The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, AZ is using $540,000 in grants to purchase 12 dual-port charging stations to support their EV ground equipment.
• $3 million to Boston’s Logan International Airport for the purchase of 43 dual-port EV chargers
• McCarran, in Las Vegas, NV, is using its awarded $4 million to help purchase 59 dual-port charging units.
• San Antonio International Airport in Texas is receiving $2.3 million for 32 dual-port charging stations.

The U.S. DOT is working to advance EV infrastructure with its Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) funding. It is currently working to support EV charging infrastructure in the Intermountain West by awarding Utah Clean Cities with $670,000. In addition, the EPA’s Dera national grants and rebates are being used in the following examples to support EV infrastructure.

• Georgia is receiving $420,000 to go towards installing electrified parking spaces at 4 distribution centers to support its growing electric fleet.
• The American Samoa Power Authority is the recipient of a $118,000 grant to install three EV chargers and replace 4 diesel-powered trucks.

Financial Incentives at the State Level

The federal government is not the only entity offering grants and financial incentives. At the state level, there are rebate programs businesses can take advantage of.

• The California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program is investing $384 million in zero-emission EV infrastructure. The project is working with other investors to ensure low-income communities are not left out.
• The Denver metro area and the Colorado Energy Office is funding up to 80% of EV charging infrastructure costs for fleet, dual-port, and Level 3 stations.
• The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant (AFIG) is a program in Pennsylvania funded by gross tax rebates from utility companies. Dispersing around $5 million in annual grants, the program is covering up to 50% of the cost to purchase and install EV charging infrastructure in public places. It is also helping to offset the cost of home EV chargers.
• The Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging Funding Assistance Program is working with nonprofits, businesses, and governmental agencies by offering rebates and other financial incentives that can cover up to 50% of purchasing and installation costs.

Settlement Funds as Financial Incentives

Volkswagen settlement funds are being used at the state level to encourage the use of EVs and the installment of the charging infrastructure. Some examples of states that are taking advantage of these funds are,

• Florida is allocating $8.6 million to use to install 74 DC fast chargers across the state
• Idaho is also installing DC fast chargers using money from the settlement funds
• Maine is expanding its EV charging infrastructure across the state
• Minnesota is using around $2.5 million to install DC fast chargers along the highways and interstate corridors.
• Ohio is using $3 million in settlement funds to install public Level 2 charging stations in 26 counties and in state parks.

Other settlement funds are also being used to advance EV charging infrastructure. California is taking advantage of funding from the Schmidt Family Foundation to advance its EV charging infrastructure.

In North Carolina, Duke Energy is supplying $300,000 in grants to install charging stations for EV buses.

Utility Settlements

Utility companies are also offering financial incentives to support EV charging infrastructure. Some examples across the country are,

• Tucson Electric Power, in Arizona, is offering rebates to businesses, multi-family dwellings, and non-profits to install EV charging stations. Customers in low-income areas may qualify for higher rebates.
• Several California utility companies including Pacific Gas & Electric are implementing programs to advance EV charging infrastructure across the state, including in low-income neighborhoods.
• Hawaii Energy is offering rebates for EV charging stations deployed at commercial and multi-family dwelling complexes
• Iowa’s Alliant Energy offers up to $500 in rebates for Level 2 chargers and $250 for units that are non-network connected.
• Roanoke Electric Cooperative, located in North Carolina, is introducing a program that provides homeowners with an EV charger that is maintained and owned by the utility.
• Austin Energy is offering rebates of 50% to go towards the purchase and installation of Level 2 charging stations.

Utility companies can also get approval from state regulators to deploy charging stations in states like Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois.

Tax Credits for EV Charging Stations

Federal and state tax credits are available to help make the installation of EV chargers more affordable.

Federal tax credits include the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. It helps to offset the cost associated with purchasing and installing EV charging stations.

Some states are also offering tax credits which include,

• New York
• Oklahoma
• Washington
• Washington D.C.

The amount of the tax credits varies by state, but all help to offset the cost of purchasing and installing EV chargers and infrastructure.

Finding EV Financial Incentives with Apogee Charging Solutions

The above article offers just a peak into the available financial incentives currently being offered. With new and exciting incentives being offered on a daily basis, finding, applying, and receiving these incentives can be a full-time job, in and of itself.

Are you ready to transition to an EV charging infrastructure and want to learn more about the available incentives? Contact Apogee Charging Solutions today by calling 484-816-2076, emailing [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.