California - National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program
Administered by The California Department of Transportation and the California Energy Commission
California's NEVI program funds DC fast charging stations spaced 50 miles apart along major highways and interstates to support long-distance EV travel; as a driver, you'll benefit from increased charging accessibility on key corridors, though stations are designed primarily for highway corridors rather than local or residential use.
The CEC accepts applications through competitive solicitations (most recently extended to May/June 2026) for projects installing or upgrading DC fast charging equipment meeting NEVI minimum standards of at least 150kW capacity along designated alternative fuel corridors; successful applicants receive federal grant funding from California's $384 million five-year NEVI allocation.
NEVI allocates $384 million over five years to California to build a network of at least four 150kW DC fast chargers every 50 miles along 6,600 miles of highways; Caltrans and the CEC administer competitive solicitations targeting Alternative Fuel Corridors with the goal of serving long-distance passenger vehicle travel and, in future deployments, medium/heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure within federal program requirements.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22629
- Effective
- 10/1/2022
- Expires
- 9/30/2026Expired
- Last updated
- 6/11/2024
Eligibility
- Sectors
- commercial
- Technologies
- direct current fast charging equipment
Incentive amount
$383,673,792
Program summary
Note: The Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) created the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program with a total budget of $5 billion. Each state was allocated a share of that total to help build out a national network of electric vehicle charging stations along designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). With some limited exceptions, EV charging stations funded through the NEVI program should be spaced 50 miles apart and within one mile of the Interstate exit or highway.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is the designated lead agency for NEVI, and is partnering with the California Energy Commission (CEC). California's initial NEVI Plan was submitted to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation on August 1, 2022, and its 2023 Update was submitted on August 1, 2023.
California plans to use the estimated $134 million in formula funding from the first two years to provide connectivity for passenger vehicles in a manner that is complimentary to existing investments from the state. In future annual deployment plans, California will reassess proposed uses of NEVI funds, including infrastructure that primarily serves light or medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, within the requirements of the NEVI program and in the context of California’s overall funding and deployment strategy.
The CEC released the first solicitation in late-October 2023, and accepted applications through January 26, 2024. The top-six corridor groups are eligible during the first solicitation, with a total of $40,500,000 divided between the corridor groups.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- FTD@energy.ca.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
