public charging station

New Grant Program to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure

  • May 12, 2023
  • Transportation

Overview

The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program). The program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to accelerate development of an electrified and alternative fuel transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, accessible, and safe. The program will help facilitate this transition by funding deployment of EV and alternative fuel charging infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the nation.

Whereas the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program, also part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, focused on enabling long distance trips on the national highway system, the CFI Program supports installation of EV and alternative fuel infrastructure in other types of locations as well.

The $700 million available through the current funding round is split evenly between two categories. Similar to NEVI, the first category (Corridor Grants) supports deployment of EV and alternative fuel infrastructure on alternative fuel corridors, designated sections of the national highway system. The second category (Community Grants) supports installation of charging stations and alternative fuel infrastructure on public roads and other publicly accessible locations that aren’t necessarily located on or near an alternative fuel corridor. For reference, there are two designated alternative fuel corridors in the Monadnock Region: NH 101 and NH 9.

The $700 million funding round is part of a $2.5 billion authorization that will span a 5-year period.

Cost-Sharing and Eligibility

The CFI Program requires a 20% non-federal match. Applicants seeking funding through the Community Grant category may request a maximum of $15 million. There is no maximum set for the Corridor Grant category. There is a minimum threshold set for both categories ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but the U.S. Department of Transportation reserves the right to consider requests of smaller amounts.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, such as states, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and special purpose districts. Eligible activities focus predominately on acquisition and installation of electric or alternative fueling infrastructure. Applications for Community Grants may also include costs related to site acquisition, planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, preliminary engineering, operation, and maintenance. Eligible costs under the Corridor Grant category are somewhat more limited but may include costs for up to 5 years of operation.

For more details about eligible project activities and costs, consult the CFI Program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity.

How to Apply

To apply, submit your application electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Parties interested in applying are encouraged to contact SWRPC staff. Opportunities may exist to coordinate with other prospective applicants considering a submission. Also, local stakeholders may potentially be able to access this funding opportunity through the State of New Hampshire. Questions can be directed to Todd Horner at [email protected] or (603) 357-0557.

Additional Resources

  1. Program overview by the Federal Highway Administration.
  2. Recording of webinar held Wednesday, March 22nd. (Passcode: i#l2b6UV)
  3. Slides from CFI Discretionary Grant webinar presentation.
  4. CFI Discretionary Grant Program – Notice of Funding Opportunity
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