EV Infrastructure Planning

The Community Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), aims to support the state’s climate goals by expanding access to reliable and affordable electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. For the fiscal year 2026 cycle, this funding opportunity is specific to Area of Interest 1 (AOI1), which focuses on EV Infrastructure Planning. The initiative emphasizes supporting local governments throughout Maryland, particularly in overburdened communities, to conceptualize and prepare for EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) installations. The goal is to fund feasibility and planning studies that enable jurisdictions to make informed, strategic decisions about EV infrastructure deployment, ensuring future investments are both sustainable and impactful. AOI1 under this program is designed for municipalities and counties, including Baltimore City, to conduct either community-level or site-level planning, or both. Community-level planning involves evaluating charging demand, understanding local EV registration trends, identifying infrastructure gaps, and addressing equity in charger accessibility. It also encourages engagement with diverse stakeholder groups and consideration of broadband infrastructure and tourism patterns. Site-level planning, meanwhile, includes technical site assessments, utility coordination, engineering analyses, and permitting considerations. These studies aim to assess the feasibility of EVSE deployment at specific sites within a jurisdiction. Importantly, funds from AOI1 may not be used for direct installation of EVSE equipment or for costs related to unrelated infrastructure upgrades or marketing. The anticipated total budget for AOI1 in FY 2026 is $500,000, sourced from Maryland's Dedicated Purpose Account for the advancement of the Climate Plan. Award amounts vary by entity type and project type. Municipalities may receive up to $90,000, and counties up to $150,000, depending on whether they pursue community-level or site-level planning. Each type has specific flat incentive amounts and minimum thresholds—such as a requirement of four study sites for municipal site-level applications. All funds are disbursed as reimbursements upon submission of eligible expense documentation. Partial awards are possible if full funding is not available, and awardees may choose to accept partial grants. Applicants must submit their materials via the Jotform online portal by February 25, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. Required components include a project narrative, IRS W-9 form, detailed budget workbook, contact information, and optionally, letters of support and supplemental documentation. The project narrative must detail project purpose, scope, timeline, and partnerships. A successful application will clearly align with the program’s goals to enhance community EV access and reduce emissions. Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process by a qualified evaluation team. Proposals will be scored across four weighted criteria: project feasibility (30%), justification (30%), budget and cost-effectiveness (20%), and qualifications and experience (20%). Preference is given to jurisdictions serving overburdened communities, which are identified using Maryland’s MDEnviroscreen tool. Award decisions are expected to be announced in summer 2026, and all funded projects must be completed within 24 months of grant agreement execution. Contacts for program inquiries include Anna Stern and Andrea (“Andie”) Stanley at the Maryland Energy Administration. Email inquiries can be directed to [email protected], and phone support is available through their listed direct lines. The program is competitive, statewide, and non-recurring, although the MEA may reissue similar opportunities in future fiscal years.

Applicants should clearly identify overburdened communities using the MDEnviroscreen Tool and align planning efforts with community needs.