$16M for Commercial Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Awarded in Seconds

This recent event underscores the urgent need for EV charging infrastructure. When EnergIIZE Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Track announced their funding allocation of $16.24M for zero-emission commercial vehicles, the response was phenomenal. Fleet owners of electric vehicles demonstrated their high demand for charging infrastructure when the funds were fully subscribed within mere seconds of opening. This incident not only highlights the rapidly growing market for EVs but also underscores the importance of robust and accessible charging infrastructure to support this expanding fleet.

The EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles Project, generously underwritten by the California Energy Commission and managed by CALSTART, boasts a total authorized fund of $276 million through 2026. Its primary purpose is to offer incentives for the purchase of infrastructure equipment for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) that are operated and domiciled in California. The first of the four planned funding allocations, aptly named EV Fast Track, was launched on March 23, targeting fleet owners who have committed to commercial battery-electric vehicles.

Remarkably, 85 percent of the applications accepted met EnergIIZE’s Jump Start criteria, which provide additional incentives for fleets operated in disadvantaged and low-income communities or those meeting other equity criteria. The initial funding allocation of $16.24M was distributed among nearly 40 successful applicants across California, contributing to a diverse range of commercial transportation specialties, including drayage, refuse, school bus, and delivery services.

EV Fast Track funds cover up to 50 percent of eligible equipment and software costs, capped at $500,000 per project. However, projects that meet eligibility criteria set out in the EV Jump Start funding lane can receive up to 75 percent of equipment and ancillary costs, up to a maximum of $750,000 per project. Eligible equipment encompasses level-2 electric-vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), direct-current (DC) fast-charge EVSE, management software, switchgears, electrical panel upgrades, wiring and conduit, as well as meters.

“The first-of its-kind EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles Project is critical to advancing California’s build-out of a zero-emission transportation ecosystem to enable the successful deployment of commercial ZEVs” said Alycia Gilde, CALSTART Vice President of Clean Fuels & Infrastructure. “Knocking down a key barrier to adoption, EnergIIZE seeks to address the high costs of infrastructure to support fleets with their transition to zero-emission while bringing the greatest benefit to communities most impacted by transportation emissions.”

Expanding their support for green energy, EnergIIZE has announced the opening of three additional incentive lanes in 2022. These will serve to promote hydrogen fueling stations, public charging infrastructure, and further assist EV Jump Start applicants. For those interested in the Hydrogen Fueling funding lane, the application window is set to open at 9 a.m. Pacific Time on June 30, 2022. Applicants will have until 5 p.m. Pacific Time on July 14, 2022, to submit their proposals. This move underscores EnergIIZE’s commitment to fostering a sustainable future, facilitating the transition to zero-emission vehicles across diverse sectors.