CALSTART Media Contact: Jennifer Smith, jsmith@calstart.org

PASADENA, CA – The Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Project, funded by The California Energy Commission (CEC) and administered by CALSTART, is giving California electric vehicle (EV) fleet owners and operators a chance to apply for up to $5 million in EV or hydrogen infrastructure reimbursement funds through three funding opportunities beginning next month. The recently extended Drayage and Transit Set-Aside lanes will accept applications under a new incentives structure starting at 9 a.m. Pacific Time on May 6, 2025, and running until 5 p.m. Pacific Time on October 2, 2025, while the highly competitive Fast Track lane will run from 9 a.m. Pacific Time on May 13, 2025, until 5 p.m. Pacific Time on July 15, 2025.

In response to the announcement of the spring funding lanes, CALSTART’s Senior Director of Clean Fuels and Infrastructure, Stacey Simms, said:

“These new funding lanes represent an important step towards accelerating California’s clean transportation future by getting more zero-emission infrastructure built faster. Through EnergIIZE, a California Energy Commission funded initiative which we are proud to administer, it is easier for fleet operators to access the technical and financial resources they need to make bold, low-carbon investments.”

Applicants for these funding opportunities will submit applications through the Incentive Processing Center beginning at the designated start dates and times.

Those interested in learning more about the lanes, including how to apply, should register now for the informational webinar on April 29, 2025.

Background:

Fast Track funding lane with new incentive structure

One of the funding lanes offered by EnergIIZE, Fast Track is designed for EV and hydrogen commercial fleet users who have already procured zero-emission MDHD vehicle(s), who have an active MDHD vehicle purchase order, or who have proof of a ZEV MDHD vehicle base. This lane is EnergIIZE’s most popular with a reputation for reaching subscription capacity in minutes.

Fast Track 2025 incentives support the construction of public, private, or shared MDHD ZEV charging or hydrogen fueling stations. Under the new structure, funds may cover up to but not more than 100 percent of per-item eligible costs; and applicants may be eligible to receive up to $5 million per project in EV and hydrogen infrastructure incentives if they meet the equity criteria defined in the Implementation Manual (on the Resources page). Eligible equipment under Fast Track includes Level 2 chargers, direct current fast-chargers (DCFC), transformers, switchgear, meter mains, and circuit breaker panels.

Applications will be viewed on a monthly batched basis; projects ready for deployment will be awarded first. View the Application Packet for more information.

Drayage and Transit Set-Asides with new incentive structures

The Drayage Set-Aside is intended to benefit drayage fleets looking to advance ZE infrastructure at ports; when open for voucher applications, the drayage vehicle incentives through the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) can be paired with the CEC’s EnergIIZE drayage truck infrastructure incentives.

To qualify, applicants may apply or intend to apply for drayage vehicle voucher(s) through the CARB HVIP program, or be performing drayage operations as specified in the most recent HVIP Implementation Manual. The intended infrastructure project site may be private, shared, or public.

The Transit Set-Aside is intended to benefit California transit fleets, agencies, and Tribes. Like the Drayage Set-Aside, transit vehicle incentives through California HVIP can be paired with the CEC’s EnergIIZE transit infrastructure incentives when available.

To qualify for Transit Set-Aside funds, fleets must meet one of the following criteria:

• Included in the CARB Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) program’s list of compliant transit agencies
• A California city or county government, transportation district/transit district, public agency district, or public agency
• A California Native American Tribe, California Tribal Organization, or Non-Governmental Organization Serving Tribal entities.

With the extension, Drayage and Transit Set-Aside applicants can take advantage of an increase in maximum award amounts per project; up to $5 million for hydrogen infrastructure if they meet the equity criteria. Eligible equipment includes Level 2 chargers, direct current fast-chargers (DCFC), transformers, switchgear, meter mains, and circuit breaker panels. Compressors, liquid and gaseous pumps, storage, piping, and pipelines are also potentially possible.

For questions on how to apply for Fast Track, Drayage or Transit Set-Asides funds, please contact EnergIIZE at infrastructure@calstart.org.

About CALSTART
A mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all, CALSTART has offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado, California, Florida, and Europe. CALSTART is uniquely positioned to build the national clean transportation industry by working closely with its 250 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $1 billion in vehicle incentive and technical assistance programs in the United States and is leading a global effort to build the zero-emission commercial vehicle market.