Washington State’s $64 Million Grant Program offers 100% for EV charging installations 

Imagine getting a grant that covers 100% of the cost to install EV chargers. The WA EV Charging Program is doling out a whopping $64 million in electrifying grants to those who are championing electric vehicle chargers at multifamily residences, public charging spots, and tribal areas. However, the grant program isn’t exclusive to these sites – workplaces and fleet depots are also welcome to apply for the funding. 

The program is fundamentally rooted in the principles of environmental fairness. On a mission to create a greener, healthier future for all, the program puts a particular emphasis on communities that have been unequally affected by pollution and require support to establish electric vehicle infrastructure. 

What’s the goal of the Washington State EV charging Program?

The Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program is racing towards deploying a minimum of 200 fast charging (DCFC) ports and 2,000 Level 2 (L2) charging ports across diverse communities. The initiative is designed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by ensuring ample charging infrastructure, thereby significantly contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable living.  

How are the funds being allocated? 

Here’s the breakdown: 

• The program reserves 45% of funds ($28.8 million) for Level 2 chargers at multifamily dwellings (min. five units)
• 40% of funds ($25.6 million) are reserved for Level 2 chargers or DCFC at public sites
• 15% of funds ($9.6 million) are awarded to Level 2 chargers at fleet depots or workplaces
• A min. of 10% of funding is distributed to projects of tribal governments or entities located on tribal lands

What are the Incentive Amounts?

The program covers 100% of eligible costs for Level 2 chargers on multifamily sites. It also covers 100% of qualified expenses at tribal sites. All other projects benefit from awards of 75% of their eligible costs. The program website provides base amounts as per the table below: 

Requirements and scoring

The minimum number of chargers has been set at two for each project. The program covers up to 20 Level 2 chargers and 6 DCFCs. On combination sites, the maximum is 6 DCFC with a total maximum of 12 chargers. Covered charger types are J1772 & NACS for Level 2 and CCS & NACS for fast chargers. 

The evaluation of prospective locations will involve assigning scores and assessing them in relation to similar types of sites. The scoring system will encourage the implementation of projects that align with the state’s objectives and give preference to projects situated in underserved communities or areas lacking adequate charging infrastructure. 

Eligibility

Here are the categories of who is eligible to apply for the incentive in a nutshell. For a detailed description of eligibility criteria, visit the program eligibility page. 

Multifamily housing

The program considers multifamily properties as those with five or more dwelling units. Hotels and motels are not regarded as multifamily housing for the program. Only Level 2 chargers are covered by the program at this type of site. 

Workplaces

A workplace refers to a place outside of homes where business activities or industrial tasks take place. Residential properties, regardless of their use for business purposes, cannot be considered workplaces. Charging stations must be accessible to anyone at the site, rather than being assigned exclusively to a specific employee or group of employees. Level 2 chargers only. 

Public Charging

To qualify under this category, the general public must be able to access the site during regular operational hours. Both Level 2 and fast charging units are eligible for this site type. 

Fleet Depots

The program considers fleet depots as a parking area primarily designated for a group of vehicles owned or rented by a company for business operations. This includes both publicly and privately managed vehicle depots. Only Level 2 chargers are eligible for this site type.

Program application timeline

The application period is open from Sept 6 – Dec 1, 2023. The Department of Commerce will contact applicants with their results by January 16, 2024:

How SWTCH can help

SWTCH has worked on numerous incentive applications and can help you navigate the complexities of the process. We will ensure your submission meets the high-quality standards of a successful bid.  

At SWTCH, we are leaders in developing EV charging solutions for multifamily and commercial properties across North America. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology allows us to craft a tailored system for buildings looking to install multi-vehicle EV charging systems.

SWTCH’s load management solution utilizes the building’s existing grid infrastructure to deploy a cost-effective charging system that works for your EV drivers today and smoothly scales to support the charging demand in the future. 

To learn more about SWTCH, check out our multifamily and workplace EV Charging solutions, and if interested in learning more about the funding opportunity and your eligibility, get in touch with us asap.