Brady PieperThe Bay Area is funding projects to expand access to electric vehicles (EV) and charging infrastructure, with a focus on historically underserved and unserved communities.
The Bay Area Air District, a public agency protecting air quality in the region’s nine counties, is unveiling the next installment of the Charge! Program, which will deliver $10 million to transform the local EV charging network.
The funding comes from a combination of a motor vehicle surcharge and two programs — the state’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program and the federal Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, pending federal funding availability.
The air district will encourage eligible entities, such as business, homeowner’s associations, nonprofits, public agencies and tribes, to apply for Charge! grant funding through June 6.
Grants valued at $250,000 or more will be available, depending on project proposals. While this round of grants will primarily support expanding the charging network, the Charge! program will prioritize investments for government-sponsored and multifamily home projects, which qualify at a minimum grant of $10,000.
The Charge! Grants will support projects that integrate EV chargers in locations where people live, work and travel, focusing on locations with low charging station density.
Projects at destination, transit parking or workplace sites must install at least four network-connected, DC Fast or Level 2 (high) charging ports that can charge at least four EVs simultaneously.
Multi-family housing projects and some case-by-case workplace projects will be provided more flexibility with installation requirements. Depending on the nature of the projects, these units and businesses may develop Level 1, Level 2 or DC Fast charging ports.
Charge! program funding can also be used to reimburse the costs of hardware, permitting and design, equipment and operations and maintenance service contracts.
Award recipients will be required to cover a 20% cost match for program funding and must align with state and federal requirements, such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure standards and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Concluding the application period, the air district will evaluate project proposals before announcing award selections in the third or fourth quarter of 2025.
Program officials anticipate the completion of Charge! projects will expand equitable access to chargers while contributing to the Bay Area’s EV adoption goal of 90 percent of the overall vehicle fleet by 2050.
In support of the Charge! initiative, the Bay Area Air District was selected to receive a $15 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Delivering nearly 450,000 chargers since its inception in 1991, the program is designed to rapidly expand the EV charging network throughout the Bay Area, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health by enhancing air quality.
“As EV adoption rises, ensuring access to convenient, reliable charging infrastructure where people live, work and shop is essential,” Air District Executive Officer Dr. Philip Fine said. “By prioritizing EV funding for disadvantaged and low-income communities, we can help make driving electric the best option for all Bay Area residents.”
Image by (Joenomias) Menno de Jong from Pixabay
