California has opened a new $28 million funding round for public electric vehicle fast-charging infrastructure, offering incentives of up to $100,000 per charging port through its Fast Charge California Project. Applications opened on October 7, 2026, and will close on January 14, 2027, with funding available to eligible projects that are ready to begin construction.
The programme allows businesses, nonprofit organisations, public agencies and other site owners to apply for support for publicly accessible direct-current (DC) fast chargers. Successful applicants may receive incentives covering up to 100% of eligible installation costs, provided their projects have secured all necessary permits and obtained a final utility service design when applications are submitted.
Funding will be allocated in the order eligible applications are received after the application window closes. Projects serving disadvantaged, low-income and tribal communities will receive priority.
Second Funding Window Will Offer Lower Incentives
A subsequent application window is scheduled to open on February 24, 2027, and run through May 2027. The second round will offer incentives of up to $55,000 per charging port, compared with the maximum $100,000 available during the current round.
The different incentive levels are intended to support the deployment of public fast-charging infrastructure while directing funding towards projects that are prepared to proceed.
Spencer Reeder, director of the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Fuels and Transportation Division, said the programme would help expand access to charging facilities across the state.
“California needs reliable fast charging in communities across the state to support the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. This next round of Fast Charge California Project funding will help move ready-to-build projects forward, expand access to public charging and put state investments to work in communities that have historically had fewer charging options.”
Programme Builds on California’s Existing Charging Network
The latest funding round forms part of the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), which has supported more than 10,000 charger installations across California since 2017.
According to the CEC, the state now has more than 2.2 million light-duty electric vehicles, increasing the need for accessible charging infrastructure.
The new round follows an earlier Fast Charge California Project initiative launched in 2025, which allocated $55 million for publicly accessible DC fast chargers. That programme also offered incentives covering up to 100% of eligible costs, with grants of up to $100,000 per port for chargers rated above 275 kW.
The current announcement does not specify a minimum charging-power requirement for eligible equipment beyond its classification as DC fast charging.
California Expands Investment in Zero-Emission Transport
California is continuing to fund charging infrastructure through its broader clean transportation investment programmes.
In August 2026, the CEC approved $95.2 million in additional Clean Transportation Programme funding. The allocation included $48 million for light-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure and $30.2 million for infrastructure serving medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.
The latest $28 million Fast Charge California funding round adds another source of support for public charging projects, particularly those that can move quickly into construction.
By prioritising ready-to-build projects and communities with fewer charging options, the programme aims to accelerate infrastructure deployment as electric vehicle adoption expands across California.