California allocates $55 million in fresh incentives for the public installation of electric vehicle fast-charging stations
Fast Charge California Project Offers Rebates for EV Fast Chargers
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced the launch of the Fast Charge California Project, a statewide initiative aimed at accelerating the installation of electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers at businesses and public sites across California. The project, administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy, is the largest ever undertaken and will offer rebates for eligible applicants.
The project's full eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Eligible sites must be publicly accessible locations such as convenience stores, gas stations, retail centers, parking lots, airports, business districts, casinos, city/county/privately owned parking lots or garages, colleges, community centers, grocery stores, hotels, libraries, medical facilities, places of worship, police stations, public transit hubs, restaurants, and retail shopping centers.
- Eligible applicants include California-based site owners, authorized agents (property managers, EV service providers, contractors), businesses, sole proprietorships, nonprofit organizations, public or government entities, and Native American tribes.
- Charging projects must be ready to build, requiring a final utility service design and all necessary permits on hand prior to application.
- The charging stations must be Level 3 DC fast chargers, new equipment with at least 50% Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors per site. A minimum of 4 chargers per application and a maximum of 20 chargers are allowed. Each charging station must provide a minimum output of 150 kW per port when all ports are in use, and must have at least four ports. Equipment must be properly networked via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular to allow remote diagnostics, remote starts, utilization data collection, and over-the-air updates.
- Up to 100% of eligible installation costs may be covered. The maximum rebate per port is $55,000 for chargers with 150 kW to less than 275 kW capacity, and up to $100,000 per port for chargers with capacity 275 kW or higher.
- Priority will be given to locations in tribal areas, disadvantaged communities, and low-income communities.
- The application window will be open from August 5, 2025, through October 29, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The CALeVIP program, which aims to get fast chargers installed quickly, is led by Hannon Rasool, Director of the CEC Fuels and Transportation Division, and Evan Wright, Director of EV Infrastructure and Operations at the Center for Sustainable Energy. For more information, visit the Fast Charge California Project official website and related official communications.
[1] Fast Charge California Project official website: [link] [2] California Energy Commission announcement: [link] [3] Center for Sustainable Energy announcement: [link] [4] Related official communications: [link] [5] Fast Charge California Project Q&A: [link]
- Despite primarily focusing on electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers, the Fast Charge California Project also encourages the implementation of technology that allows for remote diagnostics, remote starts, utilization data collection, and over-the-air updates.
- In an endeavor to promote environmental-science and sustainable practices, the Fast Charge California Project offers rebates for Level 3 DC fast chargers, aligning these initiatives with the advancements in science and technology.
