The California Energy Commission (CEC) opened a new funding window on October 7, 2026 for publicly accessible direct-current (DC) fast chargers. At least $28 million is available through the Fast Charge California Project, part of the state’s CALeVIP incentive program. Awards can reach $100,000 per charging port and cover up to 100% of eligible costs, and applications are accepted until January 14, 2027.
Key Takeaways
- California offers at least $28 million for public DC fast chargers until January 14, 2027.
- Awards reach $100,000 per port and up to 100% of eligible costs.
- Only ready-to-build projects with permits and utility designs qualify.
- The next window, opening February 24, 2027, caps awards at $55,000 per port.
Key Figures
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding in this window | At least $28 million |
| Maximum award | $100,000 per DC fast-charging port |
| Share of eligible costs | Up to 100% |
| Application period | Oct 7, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027 |
| Next window | Feb 24 – May 27, 2027, up to $55,000 per port |
| Spring 2026 round | $56.9 million for more than 1,266 ports in 58 counties |
What Changes
- Ready-to-build only. Projects need an issued permit and a final utility service design before they apply.
- Order of receipt. After the window closes, funds are reserved in the order eligible applications arrived.
- Equity priority. Projects in disadvantaged, low-income and tribal communities are prioritized.
- Lower cap next time. The following window drops the per-port ceiling from $100,000 to $55,000.
CALeVIP has supported 10,200 charger installations since 2017 and is administered by the Center for Sustainable Energy. Funding comes from the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program and the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. California has more than 2.2 million light-duty EVs on the road.
What It Means
The money is generous, but the gate is paperwork. A site that does not yet have a permit and a utility design is unlikely to qualify in this round, so owners should start those steps now and aim for the 2027 window if needed. Installers who can prepare permit packages and coordinate early with the utility add real value here. Equipment eligibility is set by the program rules, so check them before choosing hardware. For smaller destination sites, a compact unit such as the EV-RHDC30K-L DC charger (about 20–30 kW, OCPP 1.6J) is one option to compare against the program’s minimum power requirements. Our commercial charging solutions page covers multi-port site planning.
Related Reading
- EV Charging News: California Approves $95.2 Million Plan for Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure
- How Much Does It Cost to Install a Commercial EV Charging Station?
- How Fast Is a DC Fast Charger?
