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Funding Eligibility Definitions

This section provides definitions to help guide rural entities through the funding programs listed in the Federal Funding Programs and Rural EV Infrastructure Funding Table sections.

The first table below lists EV-related activities that Federal programs can be used to fund, and the second table below lists potential applicant types. Before applying, review each program’s webpage to understand specific eligibility requirements.

EV-Related Activities That Federal Programs Can Be Used to Fund

Electric vehicle-related activities and definitions.
EV Activity  Description 
LDV Charging

Purchase and installation of EV charging infrastructure for light-duty vehicles (LDVs), primarily Level 2 and DCFC charging infrastructure. LDVs include passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks with a gross vehicle rating of 10,000 pounds or less. Cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks are examples of LDVs.

Public Transportation Charging Purchase and installation of electric transit vehicle charging infrastructure as part of capital projects, most commonly for electric buses.
Commercial Charging Purchase and installation of EV charging infrastructure to support freight transportation, agricultural activities, and other commercial uses. Infrastructure under this category is specific to vehicles larger than LDVs (medium- and heavy-duty vehicles).
Infrastructure Planning Planning for EV charging infrastructure and related projects. Certain funding programs specify project planning (e.g., design, budget, engineering) as an eligible activity, separate from the implementation or acquisition activities.
Workforce Development Workforce development and training related to EV infrastructure.
Vehicle Acquisition EV acquisition (or replacements) and engine conversion for LDVs, transit vehicles (e.g., electric buses), or commercial EVs (e.g., freight trucks or agricultural equipment). (Note: this toolkit does not include funding programs exclusively intended for buying EVs; rather, this designation identifies which infrastructure-focused programs could also be used for buying EVs.)

Eligible Applicant Types

Eligible applicant types and definitions.
Applicant Type Description
States State governments, agencies, and authorities (e.g., State departments of transportation, State energy offices, and interstate compacts), including those of Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.
Localities Local and regional governments and agencies such as counties, municipalities, local law enforcement, and regional planning organizations.
Tribes Federally recognized Tribal governments.
Transportation Providers Transportation providers and operators such as airports, rail carriers, port authorities, transit providers, and private-sector transportation companies. (Note: Most transportation providers also qualify under another applicant type, since most providers are operated by either the State, local, or Tribal government or a private-sector provider. This category is used in the matrix for programs that specifically indicate “transportation providers” as an eligible party.)
Nonprofits Nonprofit organizations.
Private Sector Any privately owned business or organization that does not qualify as a nonprofit.
Individuals A person not operating as a representative of any of the stakeholders defined above.

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