California Accelerates EV Fast Charger Deployment With $32M Boost

California has secured over $32 million in federal funding to install, operate, and maintain 458 direct-current fast chargers (DCFC) along its busiest interstates and highways, marking a significant expansion of the nation’s largest electric vehicle charging network. The California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the awards as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, a $5 billion initiative under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in November 2021.

Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White stated, “California continues to be a leader in the sustainable revolution with this milestone investment to install over 500 EV chargers with $32 million in federal NEVI funding. Thanks to the historic investments from the Biden-Harris Administration, California is helping to lead the nation in deploying clean energy infrastructure, expanding access to EV charging, and meeting our carbon reduction goals.”

The CEC’s proposed awards for 2024 total $37.7 million, leveraging $53.2 million in private matching funds—nearly triple the minimum required by NEVI. This will deliver more than 500 charging ports across 70 sites, an 85 percent increase over initial projections from the state’s first NEVI solicitation, and nearly double the number of stations mandated by federal standards.

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares emphasized the broader vision: “California is building a transportation network for the 21st century, and this federal funding helps support that commitment. Increasing the accessibility of EV charging stations will be a major boost to achieving the state’s climate action goals.”

CEC Commissioner Patty Monahan highlighted the scale of private investment: “With this round of awards, the state exceeded the federal requirement for private investment by nearly threefold, significantly increasing the number of chargers funded per federal dollar. This is further proof that California is all in on zero-emission transportation.”

Nine projects received $32,722,295 in the first round of NEVI funding at the CEC’s September 11 meeting, with nearly $5 million more expected before year’s end. Awardees include:

– Electrify America, LLC: $6,488,372 for 62 fast chargers along I-15, I-40, and SR-58.
– Skychargers, LLC: $4,008,069 for 68 fast chargers along I-5 from Sacramento to Kettleman City.
– Skychargers, LLC: $2,965,854 for 76 fast chargers along I-5 from Kettleman City to Santa Clarita.
– Sustainable Energies CA LLC: $1,860,000 for 20 fast chargers along I-8, I-15, and I-805.
– Sustainable Energies CA LLC: $1,200,000 for 16 fast chargers in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
– Sustainable Energies CA LLC: $1,800,000 for 24 fast chargers along I-110, I-710, I-605, and I-105.
– Zero6 EV Charging CA I LLC: $3,675,000 for 49 fast chargers along I-5 from Sacramento to Kettleman City.
– Zero6 EV Charging CA I LLC: $6,075,000 for 81 fast chargers along I-5 from Kettleman City to Santa Clarita.
– Zero6 EV Charging CA I LLC: $4,650,000 for 62 fast chargers along I-15, I-40, and SR-58.

NEVI-funded stations must be located along federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, spaced no more than 50 miles apart, within one mile of freeway exits or highway roadways. Each site will feature at least four 150-kilowatt Combined Charging System connectors, with a total station capacity of 600 kW. Equity requirements mandate that at least 40 percent of benefits reach disadvantaged, low-income, rural, and tribal communities.

Caltrans serves as the lead NEVI agency, with the CEC as its energy partner, jointly developing California’s Deployment Plan for the program. This plan outlines how the state will allocate its $384 million NEVI share to build a high-powered DCFC network across designated corridors.

California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption metrics underscore the infrastructure need. In Q2 2024, ZEVs accounted for 25.7 percent of new car sales—118,181 units, averaging 1,300 per day. The state has recorded 1,996,931 total ZEV sales to date, representing 34 percent of all U.S. ZEV sales, according to the California Air Resources Board. Sixty ZEV and related manufacturers operate in California, leading the nation in ZEV manufacturing jobs. Multiple grants and rebates remain available to support low-income residents in adopting clean transportation.