FHA Opens $1.3B in Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants

Earlier this month the FHA opened applications for $1.3 billion in charging and fueling infrastructure grants. Counties have until August 28th to apply. 

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration opened its next round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) discretionary grant program. The CFI supports both Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) and Community planning and deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging or alternative fueling projects. This round, there is up to $1.3 billion available in total (approximately $500 million of which is reserved for applicants from the previous round who received a recommended or highly recommended grant score). Applications for new CFI funding are due on August 28th.

Eligible applicants include:

    • States and Territories
    • Metropolitan Planning Organizations
    • Local Governmental Unit (towns, cities, counties)
    • Special purpose districts with transportation function.
    • Community-only: Public authority with ownership of a publicly accessible transportation facility.

Federal cost share for projects may not exceed 80%.

Eligible community charger project activities include:

  • Acquisition an installation or eligible EV or alternative fueling infrastructure to include construction, real property acquisition, and project development phase activities to include planning, feasibility, revenue forecasting, preliminary engineering, and design.
  • Contracting with a private entity for the acquisition, construction, installation, maintenance or operation of eligible EV/alternative fueling infrastructure. Operating assistance is allowable with certain limitations.
  • Educational and community engagement activities to include workforce development.
  • The minimum award is $500,000, and the maximum is $15,000,000.

Counties interested in applying for these grants should coordinate with MDOT’s NEVI program officer Amanda Hinh.

Additionally, MDOT has developed several tools to support county applications:

  • MDOT EV Project Siting Tool – a GIS-based tool that features numerous federal and state layers to assist counties in identifying competitive locations for potential EV/alternative fueling projects.
  • Maryland Zero Emission Infrastructure Plan – a list of resources to help counties learn more about Maryland’s EV charging plans and federal programs.
  • Letters of Support – Sean Winkler or fill out MDOT’s form to request support for your community charging project.