The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced the availability of $17.5 million in incentives to install public EV chargers in 13 rural counties. Incentives available through the new Inland Communities Incentive Project will cover up to 75 percent of EVSE costs. More than a third of the funding is dedicated to installations in under-resourced communities.

Eligible counties include Butte, El Dorado, Imperial, Kings, Merced, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare and Yolo.

The effort is one of 10 regional initiatives established under the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), which provides incentive funds for new charging stations at local businesses, shopping centers, gas stations, public facilities, multifamily housing and other community locations throughout the state.

“CALeVIP incentives are crucial to equitably expanding electric vehicle infrastructure to every corner of the state,” said CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan. “More ready access to charging means Californians can have confidence that EVs can meet their transportation needs, whether in urban or rural areas.”

Currently, the majority of California’s public EV charging stations are located in urban and suburban population centers.

“To achieve California’s ambitious EV adoption goals, we must incentivize and install charging stations in all areas of the state,” said Andy Hoskinson, CSE’s Senior Manager for EV Infrastructure. “CALeVIP’s expansion of public charging makes sure our rural communities, which often have limited funding, are not left behind.”

Applicants for the Inland Communities Incentive Project can receive $3,500 to $6,000 per connector for a commercial-grade Level 2 EV charger, and $30,000 to $80,000 for a high-powered DC fast charger. Rebate funds can cover the purchase and installation of charging equipment, electrical infrastructure, utility costs, network agreements and other related costs.

Property owners and managers interested in installing EV chargers can apply for funding online at the website www.CALeVIP.org.

Source: California Energy Commission