EV charging infrastructure is expensive to install, even if trenching isn’t required. However, you can take advantage of federal grants, state level incentives, and utility programs, and other incentives to help offset costs. Unfortunately, finding federal incentive programs can be challenging, so we put together this brief guide to help you get started.

This is part one of a two part blog that covers the available EV charger incentive programs. In 2023 Federal EV Charging Infrastructure Rebates – Part 2, we cover state level rebates, settlement funds, and utility incentives.  

Federal EV Charging Infrastructure Rebates

To help make installing EV charging infrastructure more affordable, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) is offering the following rebate programs.

• Surface Transportation Block Grants (STBG) support parking facilities but funds from the program can also be applied to the costs associated with installing EV charging infrastructure.
• The National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) supports the national highway system. The program provides funds for highway maintenance and to build new parking structures. Even though states are often allocated a specific amount, they have some leeway on how they spend the monies. States can transfer the funds to other applicable programs like supporting 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.

Additional grants and incentives are being offered by the US Department of Energy. It includes state energy programs (SEP) which provides technical and financial assistance to states and tribal councils to help reduce the costs associated with purchasing EV chargers and the necessary infrastructure.

The EPA and EV Charging Infrastructure Rebates

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

Please be sure to read part 2 of our 2023 Federal EV charging infrastructure rebates blog, where we cover state level rebates, settlement funds, and utility incentives.  Click here to read the next blog in the series.

Additional Federal EV Charging Infrastructure Rebates

CMAQ grants can help offset the purchasing costs of EV chargers and other infrastructure equipment. A few 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.

Infrastructure grants are helping Florida’s Miami Dade County purchase and install EV charging stations. There are also Low or No Vehicle Emission grants which are helping support 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.

Bus and facility federal rebates work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and apply to EV charger infrastructure. Some of the rebate programs, like the FTA Capital Investment Grant provide cities with the financial support to create corridor-based routes for EV buses and the necessary 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 federal rebate program aims to reduce emissions around airports and is working to help the facilities meet their obligations under the Clean Air Act. Some examples of how airports are using the federal rebates include the following.

• 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 US DOT is offering additional funding through its Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). The federal rebates support EV charging infrastructure in the Intermountain West. Utah Clean Cities program is using its $670,000 to install EV infrastructure. DERA, part of the EPA, is also offering federal grants and rebates to support charging infrastructure. A few examples are,

• 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.

Finding Federal EV Charging Infrastructure Rebates

The above article is only a peek into the available incentives and rebates offered at the federal and state levels. New rebate programs are constantly being introduced, finding, and applying for these financial incentives is time-consuming.

When you are ready to start your EV charging infrastructure project and want to take advantage of all available rebates, contact Incentive Rebate360 today by calling 480-653-8180, email [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.