Government Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Sources and Opportunities

The federal government offers funding for electric vehicle charging stations through the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, which provides a tax credit of up to $30 per kilowatt-hour of storage capacity.

This tax credit can be claimed by individuals or businesses that install electric vehicle charging stations, including public charging stations and private charging stations for multiple dwellings.

The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit is a key source of funding for electric vehicle charging stations, and it's available to a wide range of applicants.

Some states also offer additional funding opportunities for electric vehicle charging stations, such as grants and rebates, which can be used in conjunction with the federal tax credit.

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Government funding is available for electric vehicle charging stations, and it's worth exploring. States, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations can apply for funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

The California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program provides funding for CALeVIP projects, which include electric vehicle charging incentives. The CEC's CALeVIP 1.0 block grant has provided $186 million in EV charging incentives, with an additional $37 million in regional partner funding.

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Illinois is also investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Illinois Finance Authority was awarded $14.9 million for charging infrastructure projects from the US Department of Transportation's FY22-FY23 Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program.

Starting July 8, 2025, CALeVIP 2.0 will have at least $55 million in incentives available through the Fast Charge California Project. This funding can support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in various locations.

There are several government programs and initiatives that offer funding for electric vehicle charging stations. The Virginia Department of Energy's ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING Assistance Program (EVCAP) offers subawards up to $400,000 to install EV chargers in underserved communities.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program requires a deployment plan submission to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation for a successful application submission by Aug. 1, 2022. Projects must include a detailed plan for the deployment of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and be located along designated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) alternative fuel corridors.

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The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced more than $25.3 million in grants to support 37 projects for the first round of funding, which will facilitate the construction of 182 new charging ports. The second Notice of Funding Opportunity for the NEVI Program is open, with applications accepted through Jan. 31, 2025.

Here are some key programs and initiatives:

The Virginia Department of Energy is offering the EVCAP subaward program to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations in underserved communities. The program will provide up to $1,100,000 in funding.

You can apply for a subaward of up to $400,000, and the proposals will be accepted until February 16, 2024. The funding is subject to BABA rules and only BABA-compliant Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) will be considered.

Projects must include the installation of EV chargers to evaluate and measure the benefits to underserved communities. Leveraging additional funding is strongly encouraged but not required. Brownfields, including previously mined lands, should be given preference when considering site selection.

The program will prioritize rural areas and other historically disadvantaged communities, as defined by the Justice 40 criteria. The following types of projects are eligible for funding:

Note: The above list highlights the types of projects that are eligible for funding.

To increase your chances of a successful proposal, create a realistic timeline that allows for thoughtful analysis and detailed project planning. This will help you avoid last-minute rushes and ensure your application is thorough and compelling.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, for example, recommends allowing time for internal application reviews, multiple rounds of edits, and city leadership approval. They also suggest considering a "red team" review by staff not affiliated with the project to assess the strength of the application.

For charging infrastructure projects, it's essential to describe the various barriers your organization or community faces related to the expansion of EV charging networks and EV adoption. This can help in equity analysis for priority projects, as seen in the NEVI Program's goal to deploy 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roadways by 2030.

Don't plan to submit your application on the day of the deadline! Technical problems with websites or other surprises can always arise, so allow time to obtain any supporting documents from third parties, such as site plans, vendor quotes, or letters of support.

Here are some key deadlines to keep in mind:

To be eligible for government funding for electric vehicle charging stations, you'll need to meet certain requirements. Eligible applicants can include private businesses or government-industry partnerships.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program requires a deployment plan submission to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation by August 1, 2022. Projects must include a detailed plan for the deployment of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

To ensure your project meets the requirements, you'll need to focus on the following key points: Projects must be located along designated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) alternative fuel corridors. This program will prioritize rural areas and other historically disadvantaged communities.

Here's a summary of the eligibility requirements:

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021, is a significant piece of legislation that provides federal funding for EVs and charging infrastructure.

This law includes $7.5 billion to build out a national network of EV chargers along highway corridors and within communities. The federal government will distribute the funding through various programs.

President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on November 15, 2021. The law includes funding for the replacement of thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with zero-emission vehicles.

The federal government will distribute the charging infrastructure funding through programs such as the one for building out a national network of EV chargers.

To explore existing federal and state programs that provide funding for transportation electrification, you can search the EC's EV Laws and Incentives search tool, which pulls from the U.S. Department of Energy's continually updated database.

Additional funding opportunities are available through existing federal and state programs, including those that provide funding for transportation electrification.

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Here are some key programs that provide funding for transportation electrification:

If you're looking for grants and incentives to support your electric vehicle charging station project, there are several options available in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has a National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) that provides funding for the construction of EV charging stations along interstate corridors. The program has awarded over $25 million to support 37 projects, and a second funding opportunity is currently open, with applications due by January 31, 2025.

You can also apply for funding through the Equitable Energy Future Grants program, which provides pre-development and planning grants for eligible contractors or businesses. This program has an on-the-job training component and is a rolling opportunity, so you can apply at any time.

ComEd offers rebates for business customers in their service area, ranging from $5,000 to $180,000 for the purchase of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. They also offer make-ready rebates for Level 2 and Level 3 DCFC charging infrastructure.

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In addition to these programs, the state of Illinois and its partners have won numerous federal grants for charging projects, including over $14 million for a state community charging program and $100 million for an equitable future-ready electrification infrastructure program.

Here are some key details about the federal grants:

These grants are part of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program, which aims to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in urban and rural areas.

We've made significant strides in promoting electric vehicle adoption through government funding for charging stations. Over 300 projects have been completed by CALeVIP applicants.

These projects have resulted in the installation of more than 1,300 EV chargers. That's a lot of charging stations!

CALeVIP has also worked with community partners to allocate over $80 million in EV charger incentives to disadvantaged and/or low-income communities. This is a great example of how government funding can benefit those who need it most.

Applicants have received nearly $32 million in incentives, which is a significant boost to the electric vehicle industry.

California is offering a significant amount of funding for electric vehicle charging stations through the California Energy Commission's Clean Transportation Program, which is providing $186 million in EV charging incentives.

The Illinois Finance Authority has received $14.9 million for charging infrastructure projects from the US Department of Transportation's FY22-FY23 Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.

Eligible applicants for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program include states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, port authorities, and Indian tribes.

ComEd is offering rebates ranging from $5,000 to $180,000 for business customers in their service area who purchase electric vehicles or install charging infrastructure.

The Illinois Finance Authority's PACE Program allows private investment in energy-efficient projects, including electric vehicle charging stations, up to 25% of the property's value.

The EV States Clearinghouse is a one-stop shop for state agencies to plan and implement EV infrastructure programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

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