Millions in grants available to install electric vehicle charging stations

Grant funding applications are open for public agencies and private businesses to mitigate the costs of buying and installing public electronic vehicle charging stations, The Bay Area Air Quality Management District announced on Tuesday.

The Air District will provide $7 million in funds to recoup up to 80 percent of EV charging costs in their Charge! program. The hope is to make the Bay Area’s goals of having 90 percent of all vehicles electric by 2050 that much easier.

Funds can go to any facilities in workspaces, transit parking lots, multi-unit residences and along major roadways. The Air District will specifically seek out projects in multi-unit residential facilities like affordable and below market-rate housing complexes to reach communities with few electronic vehicle resources.

Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District, said in a statement:

Adoption of electric vehicles continues to expand at a robust pace. … More charging stations in key locations will quicken the energy transition and make buying an electric vehicle the smarter option for Bay Area residents.”

The application period will be open until March 1, 2022.

Air District representatives will provide more information on the application process at a webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. More information on the event and the grant funds can be found at www.baaqmd.gov/charge.