Moon Five Technologies Secures $3.4M Grant to Bring Accessible EV Charging to CA Renters

On September 3, 2025, Moon Five Technologies, a clean energy startup pioneering renter-first electric vehicle (EV) charging, announced that it has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) under the REACH 3.0 program. With matching funds from a private investor, the company will deploy more than 450 charging units across pre-selected multifamily properties in Los Angeles and San Francisco, focusing on communities most impacted by climate change, air pollution, and underinvestment in infrastructure.

Through its apartment-specific charging ecosystem, Horizon, Moon Five offers a direct-to-tenant solution that is faster, simpler, and more equitable than standard approaches. Leveraging California’s “Right to Charge” legislation, Horizon units connect downstream of a tenant’s existing meter, automatically managing available capacity between the apartment and the EV. This eliminates the need for costly utility upgrades, avoids burdening property owners, and reduces installation timelines from months or years to as little as two weeks.

“EV charging has never really been built for renters until now,” said Stephan Ng, CEO of Moon Five Technologies. “Our unique model puts renters first, making it possible to install reliable, affordable charging without costly upgrades or utility delays. This grant allows us to bring that vision to life in communities that have historically been excluded from clean transportation infrastructure, while delivering on our mission to make equitable, resilient EV charging a reality for every renter.”

The REACH 3.0 grant specifically targets underserved and low-income communities—those most vulnerable to climate impacts and least likely to benefit from clean energy investments. To meet this mandate, Moon Five is partnering with Los Angeles and Bay Area nonprofit housing providers to bring EV charging where it’s needed most.

“Accessible EV charging is critical if we want families to be part of the clean transportation future, but too often renters are left without options,” said Carleen Cullen, co-founder and executive director at Cool the Earth, a partner organization of Moon Five Technologies. “Moon Five’s renter-first approach changes that equation by bringing affordable, reliable charging directly to where people live. It’s an important step toward ensuring the benefits of clean energy reach everyone, not just a privileged few.”

At the heart of Moon Five’s technology is its proprietary energy management system (EMS), paired with a bidirectional-ready charger. Installed downstream of a tenant’s meter, the EMS creates a dedicated circuit for apartment-level load balancing, preventing overloads and optimizing energy use. This architecture enables load shedding and lays the foundation for future grid services, giving renters more control over their energy use while contributing to a more resilient grid.

As the company scales its deployment, engineering, and outreach efforts, Moon Five is hiring across software, sales, operations, and grant management. It is also seeking early partnerships with multifamily property owners, renters, cities, and community organizations. Installations are expected to begin in early 2026.

“Moon Five’s renter-first model is exactly the kind of innovation we need to enhance access to EV charging and accelerate EV adoption, particularly in disadvantaged communities and in multi-family homes,” said Adrienne Lindgren, Senior Vice President of Unlocking Innovation at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). “Since joining LACI’s Incubation Program in May 2024, Moon Five has made incredible strides to expand their EV charging solutions, and we are excited to champion their continued growth.”

Moon Five Technologies is a California-based clean energy company building renter-first EV charging solutions for multifamily housing. With modular hardware and building-level energy management systems, Moon Five unlocks the potential of existing infrastructure without costly upgrades or landlord intervention. Rooted in equity, resiliency, and repairability, the company is shaping a smarter, fairer way to electrify America’s housing stock.

Learn more at www.moonfive.tech.