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Installing electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure is a necessity for commercial and public property managers who want to keep pace with the growing demand from EV drivers. It’s even become a requirement in California — CALGreen building code mandates that new construction projects make a percentage of available parking spaces EV capable. While federal tax credits have unfortunately expired, there are many new and existing state-level incentives available that can ease the cost of EV charger installation and infrastructure upgrades. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of where EV charging policies stand in 2022.
By far the most EV-friendly state, California has multiple initiatives in place that encourage the implementation of charging stations. A great option for commercial, multi-family, and public properties is the Charge Ready program facilitated by Southern California Edison (SCE). It provides rebates and logistical support to help property owners afford, install, and maintain chargers for light-duty passenger vehicles. To learn more about Charge Ready and how to apply, be sure to check out the blog we published about the program.
Also in SoCal, the Southern California Level 2 Incentive Project — a component of the larger California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) — is slated to come online April 5, 2022. CALeVIP is an incentive initiative implemented by the Center for Sustainable Energy and funded by the California Energy Commission. The Southern California Level 2 project is the newest addition to a project portfolio that spans other regions throughout the Golden State. It will grant the lesser of $3,500 per Level 2 connector or 75% of project costs, with additional incentives for chargers installed in disadvantaged or low-income communities and multi-unit dwellings.
SoCal property owners specifically in Los Angeles stand to benefit from the Charge Up LA! Program facilitated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). According to the program website, Charge Up LA! grants eligible building owners and operators “up to 40 smart Level 2 EV charging stations per site or up to 3 DC Fast Chargers, one per each five parking spaces available.” The next funding cycle is set to begin in Q2 2022 and will allocate approximately $12 million in rebates for Level 2 chargers and $4 million for DC Fast Chargers, as well as $2 million for Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicle charging equipment.
Down the coast in San Diego, the Power Your Drive (PYD) program has been extended to provide $43.5 million in funding to support Level 2 EV chargers at workplaces and multi-unit dwellings in the San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) territory. Program participants must install at least five chargers and pay a one-time fee of $235 per unit (the fee is waived for installations in select, lower-income communities). SDG&E owns the chargers and handles all repairs and maintenance free of charge as long as the PYD program is operational. Pending regulatory requirements from the California Public Utilities Commission, the program will accept applications for apartments and condos in Q2 2022 and workplaces in Q3.
Looking at the Empire State, the New York Public Service Commission has officially approved the rules of the EV Make-Ready Program, which aims to bolster the state’s goal of 850,000 electric vehicles on the road and 50,000 new EV charging ports installed by 2025. With a total budget of $701 million, the program covers a substantial portion — or even up to 100% in some cases — of the infrastructure costs associated with preparing a non-residential site for light-duty Level 2 and DC Fast Charger installation. Program participants need to be located within an eligible utility territory, including ConEdison and National Grid, and must choose from a list of approved contractors, which PowerFlex is proud to be among.
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), with its service provider, PSEG Long Island, is implementing its own Electric Vehicle Make Ready Program to support 178,500 new EVs and 4,745 new EV charging ports — Long Island’s contribution to the statewide 2025 goal. The program will launch early in 2022 and will distribute a proposed $89 million over the next four years.
On a time-sensitive note, the Alternative Fuels and Electric Vehicle Recharging Property Credit will expire at the end of 2022. The tax credit applies to each piece of EV charging equipment a business installs within New York and amounts to $5,000 or 50% of the equipment cost, whichever is less. The equipment must be used for business purposes at least half of the tax year, among other stipulations.
Last year, New Jersey passed legislation that establishes requirements for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) implementation across the state’s 500-plus municipalities, including a mandate that all new multi-unit dwellings “must include Make-Ready infrastructure for at least 15 percent of the required off-street parking.” Fortunately for New Jersey property owners, the legislation also deems EVSE a “permitted accessory use” in all zoning, removing the long permitting and approval times that often stood in the way of installations. Plus, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has recommended incentives to assist with the costs, including awarding $1,500 for Level 2 charging stations per eligible site and covering 50% of the make-ready infrastructure costs per station, capped at $5,000.
Available in the Atlantic City Electric service area, a series of EVsmart programs "will provide rebates and incentives to support the development of 3,250 EV charging ports in public spaces, businesses, and residences across South Jersey.” There are make-ready rebate programs for a variety of property types and needs, including multi-unit dwellings, workplaces, public spaces, and fleet charging. Programs will run through the end of 2026 or until funds run out.
Covering the PSG&E service area, the Clean Energy Future — Electric Vehicle (EV) Program has outlined $166 million to support make-ready infrastructure costs for Level 2 and DC Fast Charging. While customers must cover the cost of the charging stations and their installation, PSG&E will award rebates to cover a portion of costs for things like electrical panels and switchgear on the customer’s side of the meter and utility service upgrades on the utility’s side of the meter.
Launched on January 1, 2022, Connecticut’s statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Program offers incentives for both charging stations and make-ready infrastructure. The nine-year program is jointly administered by Eversource and The United Illuminating Company (UI) and encompasses five different program areas, including multi-unit dwelling Level 2 charging, workplace and light-duty fleet Level 2 charging, and DC Fast Charging. These non-residential segments are eligible for savings up to 50% on chargers and up to 100% on make-ready costs for a total maximum incentive of $20,000 per site for Level 2 chargers and $150,000 for DC Fast Chargers. For sites in underserved communities, the per-site maximum incentive jumps to $40,000 for Level 2 chargers and $250,000 for DC Fast Chargers.
Illinois has enacted the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, an expansive piece of legislation that includes rebates to offset the cost of installing and maintaining public- and private-sector EV charging stations. According to the bill, which was signed into law last September, the Illinois Power Agency will cover up to 80% of such costs, as well as distribute additional per-port incentives for stations installed in underserved communities. The program will begin on July 1, 2022 and run until funds are exhausted. The Illinois Power Agency will consider applications on a rolling basis and distribute rebates to eligible projects within 60 days of receipt.
It’s never been more important for public and private enterprises to consider installing onsite EV charging infrastructure — and demand will only continue to rise as more states set EV targets in the coming years. That’s why it’s critical to partner with a national renewable energy provider like PowerFlex that not only has a deep understanding of the incentive landscape but also employs ground-breaking EV hardware and software solutions that can continue to save you money even after installation. With Adaptive Load Management®, more charging stations can run on the same amount of power, helping you avoid steep utility demand charges. Contact us now for a consultation and learn why clients from NASA to Intuit to Ford have trusted us to implement smart EV charging systems.
