Programs
Money and rules in California.
Summarized from the Department of Energy's Laws and Incentives record, pulled
2026-09-10, with a link to the original beside each one. Programs change and most of them run out
of money, so check the current terms with whoever runs it before you count on it.
Funding
Commercial Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grant: El Dorado County
Funding
The El Dorado County Air Quality Management District administers the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grant program to help local businesses and properties install Level 2 EV chargers.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grant – Antelope Valley
Funding
Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) offers grants for the installation of public EV chargers, up to 75% of the total costs of infrastructure, equipment, and installation of eligible projects.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Incentives - San Joaquin Valley
Funding
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) administers the Charge Up! Program, which provides funding for public agencies, businesses, and property owners of multifamily housing for the purchase and installation of new EV chargers.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate - South Coast and MSRC
Funding
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee’s (MSRC) Residential EV Charging Incentive Pilot Program offers rebates of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified residential Level 2 EV charger.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebate – Northern and Southern California
Funding
The Golden State Priority Project, funded by the California Energy Commission as part of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), offers rebates for the purchase and installation of direct current (DC) fast chargers.
Multifamily Housing (MFH) Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grants
Funding
The California Energy Commission (CEC) offers grants through the Clean Transportation Program for the installation of Level 2 EV chargers at MFH units. Eligible applicants include all public and private entities. Investor-owned utilities are not eligible. Projects must install a minimum of 120 charging ports.
Residential Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Financing Program
Funding
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Loss Reserve Program financing allows property owners to borrow funds to pay for energy improvements, including purchasing and installing EV chargers. The borrower repays the financing over a defined period of time through a special assessment on the property.
Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Incentives
Funding
The California Energy Commission (CEC) administers the Clean Transportation Program (Program) to provide financial incentives for businesses, vehicle and technology manufacturers, workforce training partners, fleet owners, consumers, and academic institutions with the goal of developing and deploying alternative and...
Electric Vehicle (EV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Grant - Bay Area
Funding
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) Clean Cars for All program offers grants up to $12,000 to income-eligible residents to replace a vehicle eligible for retirement with an EV, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or FCEV.
Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) Research and Development Grants
Funding
The California Energy Commission (CEC) offers grants to projects that address VGI knowledge gaps; high costs of vehicle to everything or bidirectional charging equipment, as compared to unidirectional charging; and the lack of access to cost-effective, accurate, and flexible submetering solutions.
Rules that affect an installation
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Building Standards
Rule
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) published building standards requiring pre-wiring for EV charger installation in parking spaces at one- and two-family housing units with attached private garages, multi-family dwellings, commercial facilities, and public buildings in the California Green Building...
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Policies for Multifamily Housing
Rule
A common interest development, including a community apartment, condominium, and cooperative development, may not prohibit or restrict the installation or use of EV chargers or EV-dedicated time-of-use (TOU) meter in a homeowner’s designated parking space or unit.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Policies for Residential and Commercial Renters
Rule
The lessor of a dwelling or commercial property must approve written requests from a lessee to install EV charger at a parking space allotted for the lessee on qualified properties. Certain exclusions apply to residential dwellings and commercial properties.
Warehouse Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Make-Ready Requirement
Rule
Certain new or expanded warehouses that must meet “Tier 1 21st century warehouse” standards must designate at least 50% of all passenger vehicle parking spaces as EV make-ready and at least 10% of all passenger vehicle parking spaces must be installed with EV chargers.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Billing Requirements
Context
EV charger charging rates must be based on a price per megajoule or kilowatt-hour. All EV chargers must be able to indicate the billing rate, energy delivered, and maximum power/current type at any point during the transaction.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Inspection and Compliance
Context
County sealers may inspect the functionality of EV chargers operated by public agencies within their jurisdiction. If an EV charger is inoperable, the sealer must mark the EV charger with a tag that says “out of order”.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Open Access Requirements
Context
EV charger service providers may not charge a subscription fee or require membership for use of their public chargers. In addition, providers must disclose the actual charges for using public EV chargers at the point of sale; allow contactless payment and pay-by-phone payment methods; install the Open Charge Point...
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Uptime Reporting Standards
Context
The California Energy Commission (CEC) in collaboration with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) developed uptime recordkeeping and reporting standards for EV chargers purchased through a state incentive program or rate payer charges.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Access
Context
Municipalities may not restrict the types of EVs, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, that may access an EV charger that is public, intended for passenger vehicle use, and funded in any part by the state or utility ratepayers. (Reference California Government Code 65850.9)
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Electricity Exemption
Context
Electricity used to charge EVs at a state-owned parking facility is not considered a gift of public funds under California law.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Signage Authorization on Highways
Context
EV charging station facilities located at roadside businesses are eligible to be included on state highway exit information signs. Signage must be consistent with California’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. (Reference California Streets and Highway Code 101.7)
Hydrogen and Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Local Permitting Policies
Context
All cities and counties, including charter cities, must adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited and streamlined permitting process for EV chargers and hydrogen fueling stations.
Public Utility Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Reliability Standard
Context
Electric utilities must ensure that all new EV chargers installed in their service territory are able to be used without delays due to utility service failure.
Public Utility Definition
Rule
A corporation or individual that owns, controls, operates, or manages a facility that supplies electricity to the public exclusively to charge light-, medium-, and heavy-duty all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, compressed natural gas to fuel natural gas vehicles, or hydrogen as a motor vehicle fuel is...
Electric Vehicle (EV) Pilot Programs
Context
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) may provide funding for pilot utility programs to install EV chargers at school facilities, other educational institutions, and state parks or beaches.
Federal programs
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants
Funding
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) offers funding to deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure.
Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Grants
Funding
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technology Office (VTO) offers grants of up to $36 million for the design, development, and demonstration of MHD EV charging infrastructure through the SuperTruck Charge program.
Electric Vehicle Charging on Federal Property
Context
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) or any federal agency may install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for federal employees and others authorized to park at federal facilities to charge their privately owned vehicles.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
Funding
The CMAQ Program provides funding to state departments of transportation (DOTs), local governments, and transit agencies for projects and programs that help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act by reducing mobile source emissions and regional congestion on transportation networks.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Grants and Loan Guarantees
Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements, including EV charging stations.
National Alternative Fuels Corridors
Funding
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designates a national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along national highway system corridors.
Other California EV programs on the public record
These are about vehicles rather than chargers. Listed so you know they exist,
each one linking to its AFDC entry.