Federal Funding Programs

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program provides a flexible funding source to State and local governments for transportation projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. CMAQ funds are apportioned to each State and administered through State DOTs or MPOs. Funding is available for transportation projects that reduce congestion and improve air quality for areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards; States without such areas may use CMAQ funds for Surface Transportation Block Grant eligible projects. Funds may be used for a transportation project or program that is likely to achieve these objectives and is included in the region’s current transportation plan. EV charging infrastructure is considered eligible under this program.

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging, commercial charging, public transportation charging, workforce development, vehicle acquisition
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers, nonprofits
• FY20 formula grant range (to States): $10,000,000 – $488,000,000
  • This grant range represents the amount of money distributed to each State. These funds are distributed at a national level based on a formula. These formulas may use various characteristics of each State to provide variable levels of funding. For State-run programs, this sum represents the total amount of available funding that applicants can apply for, and these funds are then further distributed by the State to the applicants based on a discretionary grant-making process.
• Frequency: Funding is allocated to State DOTs on an annual basis
• Match requirement: Determined at the State level

The Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) provides funds for projects on Federal Lands Access Transportation Facilities that are located on or adjacent to, or that provide access to, Federal lands (e.g., national parks, national forests). Projects are typically located within 10 miles of the Federal land boundary. Funds are distributed by formula among States that have Federal lands. State DOTs, Tribes, and local governments interested in EV infrastructure can apply through their State for FLAP funding for charging infrastructure and transportation planning.

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging, public transportation charging, commercial charging infrastructure planning, workforce development, vehicle acquisition
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities
• FY20 formula grant range (to States): $14,000 – $35,000,000 (ultimate recipient awards vary by State)
• Frequency: Varies by State
• Match requirement: The Federal share of eligible project costs is 80 percent. A sliding scale provision may apply for States with higher percentages of Federal lands.

FTA offers grant funding for transit agencies and State, local, or Tribal government agencies to replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment, including vehicles that produce low or no emissions (Low-No) for public transportation services. The program includes both formula and competitive grants.

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Formula Program provides funding to States and transit agencies through a statutory formula. The statute also includes two discretionary programs through which rural entities can receive funding for EV bus infrastructure and EV fleet acquisition: the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Discretionary Program and the LowNo Emissions Bus Discretionary Program.

Note that rural applicants to the Low-No Emissions Bus Discretionary Program must submit as part of a consolidated State application.

• Eligible EV activities: Public transportation charging, vehicle acquisition
• Eligible applicants:
  • Formula Grant: States, transportation providers
  • Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities (Discretionary): States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers
  • Low-No Bus (Discretionary): States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers
• FY20 grant ranges:
  • Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities (Discretionary): $93,000 – $18,000,000
  • Low-No Bus (Discretionary): $611,000 – $7,400,000
• Frequency: Annual
• Match requirement: The Federal shares of net capital project costs are 80 percent for the Bus and Bus Facilities Program, 85 percent for bus acquisition for projects that are compliant with the Clean Air Act or ADA, and 90 percent for bus-related equipment and facilities that are compliant with the Clean Air Act or ADA.

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE, formerly known as BUILD and TIGER) discretionary grant program provides an opportunity for USDOT to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that achieve national objectives.

The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors at the State and local levels to obtain funding for multimodal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to support through traditional USDOT programs.

For FY21, RAISE increased program focus on zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, including EV charging.

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging, infrastructure planning, commercial charging, public transportation charging
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers
• FY20 (BUILD) grant ranges:
  • Capital Awards: $4,000,000 – $25,000,000           
  • Planning Activities: $140,000 – $5,000,000
• Frequency: Annual
• Match requirement: The Federal share of net capital project costs is 100 percent for rural projects and 80 percent for urban projects.
• Definition of rural: Located outside an Urbanized Area (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau) or any area with a population of less than 200,000

The Community Facilities Grant Program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community in a primarily rural area and does not include private or commercial activities. Funds from the program can be used to purchase, construct, or improve essential community facilities, which includes various EV infrastructure.

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging; infrastructure planning (for capital projects); vehicle acquisition—specifically for developing essential community facilities (e.g., school programs, police and fire departments)
• Eligible applicants: Tribes, localities, nonprofits
• FY20 average grant: $30,000
• Frequency: Ongoing
• Match requirement: The Federal share of net capital project costs ranges from 75 percent to 15 percent, depending on the population of the project area.
• Definition of rural: Areas with no more than 20,000 residents

DOE’s VTO supports high-impact projects that can significantly advance its mission to reduce petroleum reliance by developing and deploying more energy efficient and sustainable transportation technologies.

VTO regularly updates its Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) with information on available VTO funding opportunities. Specific topics and funding amounts for VTO FOAs vary from year to year depending on program priorities and stakeholder needs.

Historically, many of these funding opportunities have supported transportation electrification projects, including the planning and installation of EVSE; EV demonstration and deployment; and EV data collection and analysis. Sign up for the VTO Newsletter to receive notifications of future VTO FOAs.

• Eligible EV activities: Varies (past FOAs included LDV charging, infrastructure planning, commercial charging, public transportation charging)
• Eligible applicants: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers, nonprofits, private sector, individuals
• Grant range: Varies
• Frequency: Varies

The DOE State Energy Program (SEP) provides funding and technical assistance to States, territories, and the District of Columbia to enhance energy security, advance State-led energy initiatives, and increase energy affordability.

Some States allocate funds to projects that promote the buildout of EVSE in rural areas. A State energy office can provide information about program guidance and eligibility for a particular State.

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging, infrastructure planning, commercial charging, public transportation charging
• Eligible applicants: States
• Grant range: Varies by State
• Frequency: Varies by State

DOE’s Loan Programs Office has loan guarantee authority for Renewable Energy and Efficient Energy Projects under the Title 17 Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program. Projects that support innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the United States are eligible for loan guarantees.  

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging, infrastructure planning
• Eligible applicants: Project developers (State and local governments, private developers)
• Maximum grant amount: Varies
• Frequency: Applications accepted year-round

The EPA’s DERA Program funds grants and rebates that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines. The program can be used to replace heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment with electric vehicles and chargers. DERA has multiple grant programs for different types of applicants and projects including National Grants, Tribal and Insular Area Grants, State Grants, and School Bus Rebates. In 2021, EPA additionally offered a $7 million funding opportunity for electric school bus rebates in underserved communities funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

• Eligible EV activities: Commercial charging; public transportation charging; vehicle acquisition (specifically, the replacement or retrofit of heavy-duty diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment with lower emissions technology, such as EVs and their charging infrastructure. Commercial and public transportation charging equipment is only eligible in combination with vehicle acquisition projects.)
• Eligible applicants:
  • National: States, Tribes, localities, transportation providers (public only), nonprofits
  • Tribal and Insular Area: States (U.S. territories only), Tribes
  • State: States
  • School Bus Operators: States, Tribes, localities, private sector. Targeted to underserved communities.
• FY20 award ranges:
  • National: $44,000 – $300,000
  • Tribal and Insular Area: $155,000 – $520,000
  • State: $81,000 – $680,000
  • School Bus Rebates: $20,000 – $300,000
• Frequency: Annual

EVSE installed through December 31, 2021, is eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost, not to exceed $30,000. Entities that install qualified equipment at multiple sites are allowed to use the credit toward each location. Consumers who purchased qualified residential charging equipment prior to December 31, 2021, may receive a tax credit of up to $1,000. (Although this tax credit expired at the end of 2021, pending legislation has proposed extending it.)

• Eligible EV activities: LDV charging
• Eligible applicants: Nonprofits, private sector, individuals
• Maximum credit amount: 30 percent of eligible project costs, maximum $30,000 (or $1,000 for consumer EV users)
• Frequency: Ongoing, through 2021