The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved seven grants worth about $36.9 million at its October 19, 2026, business meeting to build charging for transit buses, school buses and city streets in Los Angeles. The projects are linked to transportation needs for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together they fund at least 297 DC fast charging ports and about 122 Level 2 ports, according to the adopted resolutions.
The Seven LA28 Grants
| Agreement | Grant | Charging |
|---|---|---|
| ZVI-26-006 (city transportation department) | $10,200,000 | At least 100 DC fast ports at a bus yard |
| ZVI-26-009 (Compton Unified school bus sites) | Up to $10,300,000 | At least 119 DC fast ports at 4 sites |
| ZVI-26-010 (LAUSD bus yard) | $5,700,000 | 35 DC fast ports |
| ZVI-26-007 (county transit agency) | $5,608,000 | 10 DC fast + 22 Level 2 ports |
| ZVI-26-005 (LAUSD nutrition center) | $2,932,412 | 32 DC fast ports, 16 with V2G |
| ZVI-26-008 (city light posts) | $2,000,000 | About 100 Level 2 ports |
| ZVI-26-011 (elementary district) | $200,000 | 1 DC fast port |
Other Charging Items Approved
The same meeting approved an amendment that redirects an existing grant at Exposition Park toward about 300 Level 2 ports for light-duty EVs in its parking structures. It also approved a $4,548,470 grant from California’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program for 94 public DC fast charging ports at nine stations, including Big Sur, San Clemente and Coachella, with six sites still to be determined.
The light-post project shows a low-cost approach to curbside charging: about 100 Level 2 ports on existing street lighting for $2 million. The school-bus grants support districts moving to electric buses, and one project adds vehicle-to-grid capability at half of its ports.
What It Means
Depot charging for buses and school buses is one of the fastest-growing segments in North America, alongside curbside Level 2. Depots need reliable DC charging with OCPP-based management to schedule charging around routes, while curbside programs need durable, compact Level 2 units. Our EV-RHDC30K-L compact DC charger (about 20–30 kW, OCPP 1.6J) suits smaller depots, and the EV-ACT5006T 48A Level 2 wall charger (ETL/FCC/CE) suits Level 2 parking. Fleet operators can review our commercial charging solutions.
Related Reading
- EV Charging News: California Opens $28 Million for Public DC Fast Chargers, Up to $100,000 per Port
- EV Charging News: California Counts 224,438 Shared Charging Ports, Almost Halfway to Its 2030 Need
- EV Charging News: California Approves $95.2 Million Plan for Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure
- EV Charging News: California’s RIDE Program Will Offer Rideshare Drivers Up to $1,170 a Year for Charging
Key Takeaways
- The CEC approved seven LA28 charging grants worth about $36.9 million on October 19, 2026.
- The grants fund at least 297 DC fast ports and about 122 Level 2 ports.
- Most of the money goes to transit and school-bus depots.
- A separate $4.55 million NEVI grant funds 94 public fast charging ports at nine stations.
