GFO-24-612 - Depot Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure for Medium- and Heavy-Duty On-Road Zero-Emission Vehicles

The California Energy Commission (CEC), a state-level agency dedicated to promoting sustainable energy initiatives, is spearheading efforts to transition California's transportation sector toward cleaner energy through its Clean Transportation Program. In alignment with California's climate goals and air quality standards, this program supports the deployment of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, aiming to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies across transportation sectors. As part of this initiative, the CEC has released Grant Funding Opportunity GFO-24-612, titled "Depot Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure for Medium- and Heavy-Duty On-Road Zero-Emission Vehicles." The purpose of this grant is to provide financial support to entities developing depot-based charging and hydrogen refueling solutions tailored to medium- and heavy-duty on-road ZEVs. This competitive funding opportunity will make up to $20 million available for eligible infrastructure deployment projects. The targeted investments aim to fill gaps in current ZEV infrastructure, especially for fleet-based operations that rely on centralized refueling or recharging at depots. Projects may include the design, construction, and commissioning of electric charging stations and hydrogen refueling stations dedicated to medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Eligible costs and project activities are detailed in the solicitation manual and associated attachments. The funding is aligned with the Clean Transportation Program’s overarching objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants from the transportation sector, particularly in areas disproportionately affected by transportation-related emissions. Eligible applicants include a range of public and private entities involved in transportation, energy, and infrastructure development. Though specifics on eligibility are detailed in the solicitation manual, common applicants may include state and local governments, tribal governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders with the capacity to execute infrastructure deployment projects. Projects should prioritize deployment readiness and demonstrate the potential to deliver measurable environmental and community benefits. Furthermore, the solicitation emphasizes equity by encouraging applications that include benefits for priority populations or disadvantaged communities, consistent with California’s equity and climate goals. Interested applicants must submit their proposals through the Energy Commission Agreement Management System (ECAMS) portal. Applicants must create or use an existing ECAMS account to apply. The submission deadline is January 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM, and all applications must be submitted by that time. Prior to the final deadline, applicants had the opportunity to attend a Pre-Application Workshop, which was held remotely on September 4, 2025. Additional guidance, including user registration instructions and detailed information about the application process, is available via the solicitation's documentation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the pre-application workshop materials, addenda, and the question-and-answer documents posted with the solicitation files. Key components of the application include a project narrative, scope of work, schedule of products and due dates, budget templates, resumes of key personnel, letters of commitment, and past performance references. Additional materials, such as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) worksheet and renewable hydrogen report, may also be required depending on project characteristics. Evaluation criteria for this solicitation are detailed in a separate attachment and include metrics such as project readiness, cost-effectiveness, community benefits, innovation, and alignment with program goals. The solicitation was officially released on March 28, 2025. Questions from potential applicants were accepted until September 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM. All responses were addressed in a formal Q&A document. The CEC may issue awards based on a competitive review of submitted proposals. Selected projects will receive formal notification and must enter into grant agreements in accordance with the terms set by the Energy Commission. This grant opportunity is not identified as recurring, so no future cycle is currently projected beyond this solicitation round.

Submit early through ECAMS, ensure all required attachments are included, align narrative with scoring criteria, document match clearly, and demonstrate readiness with secured site control.