Additional Funding Resources
The programs described thus far are Federal funding programs to which entities apply or receive funding directly through a Federal agency. However, additional funding programs are administered by States, local governments, and utilities. Many of these programs are specific to a particular region. This section contains resources with databases and contact information to help rural entities identify region-specific funding programs and incentives for rural EV infrastructure.
Funding Resource Clearinghouses
The following resources can help rural entities find local, State, and utility funding and financing programs for EV infrastructure projects. They contain filterable lists of funding programs, contact information for a regional agent who can identify relevant funding and financing programs, or both.
Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)
The AFDC Laws & Incentives page contains a filterable search tool that provides lists of programs and regulations from DOE and State governments (see the figure at right). AFDC also has a State Laws and Incentives interactive map that can further help entities find region-specific resources as well as a summary matrix sorted by user type and State, though this is not the focus of the Rural EV Toolkit.
Clean Cities Coalitions
As discussed in the Clean Cities Coalitions section, Clean Cities coalitions can be an important partner for conceptualizing potential projects as well as identifying stakeholders, funding programs, and resources for EVSE projects in a specific region. Rural entities can connect with their regional Clean Cities coalition to learn about funding programs specific to their area (see the Clean Cities Coalition Network contact directory).
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University. Users can select their State in the database to reveal various incentive programs for which they could qualify; users can filter and search within these programs to identify potential funding for rural EV infrastructure projects.
State-Level Funding Programs for EVSE
A number of grant and financing programs for EV infrastructure are administered at the State level. Refer to the links to learn about applying to a State’s programs or contacting a State administering office. There may be additional incentives for home charging available in certain States and localities.
State Energy Offices
Each State and U.S. territory has its own energy office that advances energy policies, informs regulatory processes, and supports energy technology research, demonstration, and deployment. State energy offices generally operate under the direction of governors or legislatures and are funded by both State and Federal appropriations.
EV infrastructure is eligible for funding through many State energy offices.
The National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO) is comprised of the 56 State and territory energy offices. NASEO’s Interactive State Energy Offices Map provides contact information for each State energy office, which can provide information on funding opportunities for EV infrastructure.
State Infrastructure Banks (SIBs)
SIBs provide an alternative financing option for applicants that is managed at the State level. An SIB is a revolving infrastructure investment fund capitalized using Federal and State appropriations and providing loans or credit enhancement to individual projects to accelerate project delivery. SIB loans can finance up to the entire project cost, dependent on individual SIB structures and project characteristics. Thirty-three States have established SIBs with varying bank structures. For more information on SIBs and to determine whether a particular State has an SIB, visit the FHWA Center for Innovative Finance Support’s website.
VW Settlement Funds
Volkswagen (VW) provided approximately $3 billion to an Environmental Mitigation Trust as a part of an enforcement settlement between the U.S. government and VW to resolve allegations that VW violated the Clean Air Act. States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and federally recognized Tribes may be beneficiaries. Beneficiaries have a defined list of actions for which they may use the funds; EV infrastructure and acquisition activities are included in the list of eligible actions, but States determine the specific projects to fund. Each State has a lead agency that can help identify potential VW Settlement funding opportunities. The National Association of Clean Air Agencies provides contact information for each State’s lead agency.
Also in This Section
EV Infrastructure Funding and Financing for Rural Areas
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