California Opens Applications for Fast Charger Grants Worth Up to $100,000 Per Port

California has launched a fresh round of funding aimed at accelerating public DC fast charging, and this time the state is willing to cover nearly the entire installation cost for qualifying projects. The Fast Charge California Project began accepting applications on October 7, backed by at least $28 million and offering as much as $100,000 for each charging port installed.

The incentive tiers are tied directly to power output. A port that can reliably deliver between 150 kW and just under 275 kW is eligible for up to $55,000, while any port rated at 275 kW or higher can draw the full $100,000. That money may cover up to 100% of approved expenses — chargers, installation, planning, and engineering included — though the per-port cap means a pricier build won’t automatically have every dollar reimbursed.

The program is administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy on behalf of the California Energy Commission, operating under the state’s broader California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project, or CALeVIP. Funding flows from the Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program along with California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, and eligible California tribes are all invited to apply, provided the chargers remain open to the public.

Speed is a central theme this round. Only projects that are genuinely ready to build will be considered, meaning applicants must already hold permits along with either a finalized utility service design or a letter confirming that no new or upgraded service is required. Scott Shepard, CSE’s senior director of transportation programs, noted that tying incentives to shovel-ready sites is the quickest route to getting working chargers in service.

Applicants have until January 14, 2027, to submit, after which eligible proposals will be funded on a first-come basis. Projects located in disadvantaged, low-income, and tribal communities receive priority. Property owners should verify eligibility before applying: charging hubs, hotels, and business districts are excluded as site types this time, and at least half of the connectors at each funded location must be CCS.

This round follows $56.9 million awarded in spring 2026 for more than 1,266 ready-to-build DC fast-charging ports spread across all 58 California counties, with over two-thirds of those chargers sited in disadvantaged, low-income, or tribal areas. CSE reports that CALeVIP has supported 10,200 charger installations since its 2017 inception. A second application window is slated for February 24 through May 27, 2027, capping incentives at $55,000 per port. Full rules and the program’s EV Charging Opportunity Finder are available on the CALeVIP website.