The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced a grant opportunity under its Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator (EVC RAA) Program, designed to enhance EV charger accessibility and reliability across California. This solicitation will provide up to $59,484,345 in funding to repair, replace, or install approximately 1,302 EV charging ports, specifically targeting non-operational public chargers on the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) list. This program is part of a larger federal initiative stemming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, intending to support a dependable EV charging network nationwide and facilitate the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean energy goals.
Eligible projects must aim to address non-operational chargers identified by the FHWA and ensure compliance with NEVI standards, including power delivery capabilities, network connectivity, and public accessibility. These projects must be within California and align with specific site and accessibility standards, such as requiring that Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) stations have at least four network-connected DC fast charger (DCFC) ports with 150 kW power capacity. The CEC has also committed to Justice40 objectives, allocating 40% of the program's charging ports to be located in disadvantaged communities.
Applications can be submitted by electric vehicle service providers, installation and maintenance contractors, and qualifying public entities. Investor-owned utilities, however, are excluded from eligibility. Each applicant may submit only one application, though they may partner on additional applications from other organizations. The award process is competitive, with funds awarded on a per-port basis based on evaluation scores, ranked order, and location priorities. There is a single applicant cap, limiting one applicant from receiving more than 40% of the total funds.
Applications must include a detailed Project Narrative, Scope of Work, schedule, and budget, among other supporting documents. A pre-application workshop is scheduled for November 12, 2024, and submissions must be made electronically via the ECAMS portal by January 9, 2025. Required documentation includes financial authorizations and declarations, an operations and maintenance plan, and commitment letters for match funding, among others. Successful applications will be announced around March 24, 2025, with the expectation that all funded ports will be operational within one year of authorization.
CEC outlines specific cost categories that are reimbursable, focusing on repair and replacement of non-operational chargers, including necessary upgrades to comply with federal requirements. Unallowable costs include equipment beyond NEVI standards, excess repair costs, and unrelated infrastructure upgrades. Matching funds are required at different levels depending on the station type, with AFC station upgrades to DCFC ports requiring at least a 30% match share, and non-AFC stations requiring at least 50%.
Evaluation will emphasize project readiness, maintenance strategies to achieve 97% uptime, compliance with Buy America provisions, and accessibility. Funding recipients must provide public accessibility for at least five years, maintain records, and report quarterly on charger uptime and other performance metrics. Projects must ensure secure payment options, access for limited English speakers, and disability accommodations to align with federal accessibility standards.
