The state of California is offering a new funding opportunity for property owners and stakeholders looking to install Level 2 EV chargers at multi-family housing complexes and nearby locations. The Communities in Charge project, supported by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, has allocated up to $56.5 million for this initiative.
Who can apply for this funding? California property owners or stakeholders who are prepared to install Level 2 chargers at multi-family housing and adjacent tenant-accessible sites. Applications opened on December 10, 2025, at 9 am PT and will be accepted until January 9, 2026, at 5 pm PT.
What does the funding cover? The program provides up to $8,500 per Level 2 port. Additionally, starting in October, an extra $2,000 per publicly accessible Level 1 port will be available. There are also additional incentives for projects that serve disadvantaged, low-income, and Tribal areas.
The initiative is being managed by CALSTART, in collaboration with GRID Alternatives and Tetra Tech. CALSTART, a key player in the clean transportation sector, already oversees more than $1 billion in national clean transportation incentives.
Stacey Simms, CALSTART’s senior director of clean fuels and infrastructure, highlighted the importance of this funding wave in making electric vehicle charging more accessible to Californians living in multi-family housing. By focusing on this housing sector, the project aims to eliminate infrastructure barriers and enable residents to transition to electric vehicles seamlessly.
After submitting an application, projects will be reviewed by the Incentive Processing Center. Projects that are ready to start immediately will receive a “Notice of Final Award,” while others will get a “Notice of Conditional Award” and 90 days to provide additional documentation before final approval.
This funding opportunity comes at a crucial time as California continues to lead the way in promoting electric vehicles. With nearly 50% more EV chargers than gas nozzles in the state, initiatives like Communities in Charge are essential for furthering the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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