California Opens $28M in Electric Vehicle Fast Charger Incentives

For Immediate Release: October 7, 2026

SACRAMENTO — California businesses and property owners can now apply for incentives covering up to 100% of eligible costs to install publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers throughout the state.  

The California Energy Commission’s Fast Charge California Project, part of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), is offering at least $28 million for direct-current fast chargers, with awards of up to $100,000 per charging port.  

Applications will be accepted Oct. 7, 2026, through Jan. 14, 2027. After the application period closes, incentive funds will be reserved in the order eligible applications were received.  

Eligible projects must be ready to build, including having an issued permit and final utility service design. The program also prioritizes projects in disadvantaged, low-income and tribal communities.  

“California needs reliable fast charging in communities across the state to support the growing number of electric vehicles on the road,” said Spencer Reeder, director of CEC’s Fuels and Transportation Division. “This next round of Fast Charge California Project funding will help move ready-to-build projects forward, expand access to public charging and put state investments to work in communities that have historically had fewer charging options.” 

The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) administers CALeVIP for the Energy Commission. 

“We’ve learned through CALeVIP that successful charging projects start with thoughtful site planning and early coordination,” said Scott Shepard, CSE’s senior director of transportation programs. “Incentives can help move viable projects forward, while early permitting and utility coordination reduce delays and help ensure investments deliver meaningful public and environmental benefits.”

This application period builds on the Fast Charge California Project’s spring 2026 funding round, which awarded: 

• $56.9 million in EV charging incentives 
• Funding for more than 1,266 ready-to-build fast-charging ports 
• Projects in 58 counties 
• More than 67% of chargers installed or planned for disadvantaged, low-income and tribal communities 

Another application window will open Feb. 24 and run through May 27, 2027, with incentives for ready-to-build fast chargers of up to $55,000 per charging port. 

CALeVIP, the nation’s largest EV charging incentive initiative, has supported 10,200 charger installations across California. CSE has administered the program since its launch in 2017, helping expand charging access for drivers of the state’s more than 2.2 million light-duty EVs. 

To qualify for incentives, charging sites must be publicly accessible and meet program requirements. Eligible locations may include businesses, public facilities, high-traffic destinations and sites along key travel routes. Full eligibility requirements and application details are available on CALeVIP. 

CALeVIP’s interactive EV Charging Opportunity Finder combines data on existing charger locations, local EV registrations and community characteristics to help identify sites where additional fast-charging infrastructure may be needed. The tool is available at CALeVIP.  

CALeVIP funding comes from the Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program and the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. 

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About the California Energy Commission  
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future for all. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies.  

About Center for Sustainable Energy 
Center for Sustainable Energy® (CSE) is a national nonprofit that accelerates adoption of clean transportation and distributed energy through effective and equitable program design and administration. Governments, utilities and the private sector trust CSE for its data-driven and software-enabled approach, deep domain expertise and customer-focused team. 

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