EV Jump Start Funding Lane Opens to Promote Clean Energy
The California Energy Commission, in partnership with CALSTART, has announced a significant incentive program to boost the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Project will open its EV Jump Start funding lane on July 16, 2024, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time and run through September 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Funding for Medium and Heavy-Duty Electric Charging
This initiative targets fleets interested in installing EV charging infrastructure for Class 2b-8 vehicles and off-road equipment. The EV Jump Start funding lane focuses on equity-qualified projects on private, public, or shared-use sites. The program covers up to 75 percent of eligible costs for infrastructure equipment and software, with projects receiving up to $750,000. Eligible expenses include Level 2 chargers, direct current fast chargers (DCFC), transformers, switchgear, charger accessories, utility service upgrades, and fleet management software.
Competitive Application Process
The application process is competitive, with scoring based on criteria such as operations and maintenance planning, cost-effectiveness, and community benefit. Prospective applicants include tribes or tribal-serving entities, small businesses, minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, or LGBT-owned businesses, and projects installed in designated disadvantaged or low-income communities (DAC or LIC). Public transit systems, public school districts, and nonprofit organizations are also eligible.
Policy Changes and Opportunities
This year, the eligibility requirements have changed. Previously, EnergIIZE accepted only one application per tax identification number (TIN). The new policy allows single entities, identified by TIN, to apply for multiple unique project sites. However, no single entity can be awarded more than 25 percent of the total funding available for this lane.
“We are thrilled to open EV Jump Start once again to help advance the deployment of EV charging infrastructure across California, with a particular focus on equity and community,” said Alyssa Haerle, Director of Infrastructure Incentive Administration at CALSTART. “We hope these incentives will enable more fleets to transition to zero-emission vehicles and improve air quality in areas that need it most.”
Applications will be accepted through an online Incentive Processing Center (IPC) starting the day the funding lane opens. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the EnergIIZE website for more information and schedule time with the project team to ask questions about EV Jump Start.
About EnergIIZE
EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles is a CEC block grant project providing infrastructure incentives for public and private fleets, owner/operators, school bus fleets, transit agencies, and public charging sites. The program supports the deployment of battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology, contributing to California’s green energy policies and market trends.
Source：prnewswire.com
