GFO-24-611 – Implementation of Medium- and Heavy Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Blueprints 2.0

The California Energy Commission (CEC), through its Clean Transportation Program, has released a funding opportunity titled “Implementation of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Blueprints 2.0” (GFO-24-611). This initiative supports California’s efforts to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, a critical step toward meeting the state’s climate and air quality goals. The CEC is a state agency tasked with leading the state’s energy policy, and its Clean Transportation Program is designed to support innovation and infrastructure related to clean vehicle technologies. The purpose of GFO-24-611 is to provide up to $40 million in grant funding to support the implementation of projects that were initially planned under a previous funding opportunity, GFO-20-601. Specifically, this solicitation targets projects involving the deployment of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and hydrogen refueling dispensers that were identified in finalized planning documents, or “blueprints,” developed under the prior grant. These blueprints were crafted to identify and address regional infrastructure needs for medium- and heavy-duty ZEV fleets. GFO-24-611 serves as the next logical step—moving from planning to execution—and aims to act as a replicable model for other blueprint regions. Eligible projects must adhere closely to the blueprints’ specifications, which were developed with stakeholder input and regional analysis. The funds must be used for capital infrastructure associated with EVSE or hydrogen dispensers. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed implementation efforts align with the original blueprint objectives and address critical deployment challenges such as grid interconnection, siting, permitting, and community impact. Projects that significantly deviate from the blueprint may require justification, particularly if proposing sites not originally included. Applications must be submitted through the California Energy Commission’s new Energy Commission Agreement Management System (ECAMS) portal, and all applicants must register or log in to submit proposals. Detailed application components include a project narrative, budget, CEQA worksheet, letters of commitment, scope of work, and justification for any deviations from original blueprint sites. The application process is structured but competitive, requiring comprehensive documentation and narrative explanations to justify technical feasibility and alignment with program goals. Evaluation criteria include technical merit, project team qualifications, cost-effectiveness, benefit to priority populations, readiness to proceed, and alignment with CEC’s broader ZEV goals. A pre-application workshop was held on April 10, 2025, to assist prospective applicants in understanding the solicitation requirements. The application window opened on March 28, 2025, and will close on February 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Questions were accepted through August 29, 2025. Awards are expected to follow after a review and selection process coordinated by the CEC’s Fuels and Transportation Division. The grant is part of a recurring program under the Clean Transportation Program, and although it is not explicitly stated whether this specific solicitation will recur, it follows from a prior related blueprint planning grant and is positioned as part of an ongoing infrastructure buildout strategy. The solicitation’s structure and timeline suggest a long-term vision, with lessons from this phase potentially informing future opportunities. The CEC’s central office in Sacramento is the primary point of contact for the solicitation.