Pasadena, CA – The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) Project is excited to launch Year Two of the Drayage Set-Aside Funding Lane, open now through the start of Q1 2025. Administered by CALSTART and partner Tetra Tech, the Drayage Set-Aside Lane will award up to $50 million in incentive funding for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging infrastructure for drayage fleets.  

This notice comes after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the launch of a $3 billion Clean Ports Program to address air quality concerns at ports and freight hubs. Ports that invest in zero-emission technology will likely see a reduction of diesel pollution, creating a healthier environment for drivers and workers. 

The Drayage Set-Aside is intended to benefit drayage fleets (i.e., vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 33,000 pounds used for transporting cargo that is originated from or is destined to a port or intermodal railyard property) and other eligible entities seeking to convert to zero-emission fleets and likely in need of charging infrastructure. Interested parties may include hydrogen and electric vehicle (EV) operators (including small fleets of drayage vehicle operators), vehicle dealers, and Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) vendors. 

Up to $3.92 million is available in incentive funding for eligible equipment if applicants meet equity criteria. Hydrogen equipment covered by EnergIIZE includes compressors, liquid and gaseous pumps, storage, piping and pipelines, dispensers with hose and nozzles, and chillers. EV equipment covered by EnergIIZE includes Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), direct current fast-chargers (DCFC), inductive charging systems, and vehicle to grid (V2G) bidirectional EVSE. Switchgears, electrical panel upgrades, wiring and conduit, and meters are also possible. 

Drayage vehicle incentives through the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) are paired with the CEC’s EnergIIZE drayage infrastructure incentives.  

To qualify for Drayage Set-Aside infrastructure funds, fleets must:  

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

Applications for Drayage Set-Aside funding will be accepted through the Incentive Processing Center application portal. This Set-Aside Lane will operate in tandem with EnergIIZE’s Transit Set-Aside Lane, which is offering up to $15 million in infrastructure incentives tailored toward California transit agencies, city or council government, public agencies, and Tribes. 

“We are excited to reopen this lane for drayage operators across the state to help them reach their target zero-emission corporate goals,” said Tesi Bravo, Deputy Director, Commercial Clean Transportation Infrastructure, CALSTART. “We hope the incentives increase will attract a new wave of applicants and encourage others to get involved with EnergIIZE’s supportive infrastructure funding opportunities.” 

EnergIIZE Set-Aside funds are specifically designed for Transit, Drayage, and Public School Bus vocations. The EnergIIZE project also offers four additional funding lanes: Hydrogen, EV Fast Track, EV Jump Start, and EV Public Charging Station. 

EnergIIZE is always looking for project partners! Equipment installers interested in working with EnergIIZE, or applying for EnergIIZE funding on behalf of recipients, can learn more on the EnergIIZE website. For those ready to get started, please fill out the Project Partners Application now.   

Click here for more information about EnergIIZE’s Drayage Set-Aside Lane and contact EnergIIZE with any questions.  

About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future. It has seven core responsibilities: developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, advancing state energy policy, certifying thermal power plants, and preparing for energy emergencies. 

About EnergIIZE 
EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles is a CEC block grant project that provides infrastructure incentives for public and private fleets, owner/operators, school bus fleets, transit agencies, and public charging sites that plan to deploy battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology. 

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 285 member companies and building on the lessons learned from the major programs it manages for the State of California. CALSTART manages more than $500 million 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.