Charge!

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Grant Program

The image details a grant program for EV charging infrastructure, offering up to 75% funding for projects and maximums for charging levels.
This image was generated by an Artificial Intelligence language model, OpenAI GPT-5.6 Luna, 2026

Program Description

The Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) is pleased to offer the MBARD EV Charging Infrastructure Program (Charge!). Charge! offers incentive funding to eligible applicants to install and maintain publicly accessible Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. Expanding access to charging stations will support reliable EV use and reduce emissions from engine exhaust throughout the region.

Complete Program Guidelines

How the Process Works

  1.  Complete the Application. 
      a. Charging equipment must be at least level 2.
      b. Station must be operational for a minimum of 6 years.
  2.  Wait for your application to get reviewed. 
  3.  If your application is approved, MBARD will send you a funding agreement to review and sign. The funding agreement is based on the application.
  4.  Funds are only awarded through a fully-executed grant agreement between the applicant and MBARD. Incurring costs for project equipment before the date of the fully-executed grant agreement shall disqualify the applicant from all funding and participation in Charge!.
  5.  Reimbursement of costs occurs after a charging station is operational and required documentation is submitted to MBARD (e.g. final invoice, warranty).

Applicants

Applicants include, but are not limited to, public entities, private businesses, and nonprofits. One project application per EIN or SSN per calendar year or per program cycle, whichever is sooner. Multiple project applications may be accepted and approved on a case-by-case basis. Projects at multi-unit developments, or projects that support charging for medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles, are encouraged to apply. Projects at single family residences are ineligible. Charging equipment must be at least level 2.  A station must be operational for a minimum of 6 years.

Applications

Each application must be specific to a single project site (a single APN). 

Each application must include a description of how the competitive bidding requirement will be satisfied. Under the competitive bidding process the applicant competitively selects infrastructure projects using two or more bids or quotes. Public entity applicants may follow an established competitive bidding process (e.g., Sourcewell, School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR), or other programs on a case-by-case basis) and must bid for electricians or other contractors not covered under an established process.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to available funds. Eligible projects will be implemented on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out applications completely.  Incomplete applications slow MBARD’s review which will  delay the project. Applications are encouraged from target locations: disadvantaged communities, corridors, workplaces, destinations, K-12 schools, multi-unit developments, port/freight/railyard facilities, and heavy-duty shared charging locations.

Site Usage Requirements

Applicants must provide estimated usage data for the proposed charging stations in kWh per month. The kWh per month estimate can be based on the number of charging connectors, facility type, estimated number of vehicles that will use the station, estimated number of charging events, and other factors. Usage in kWh per month will be included in each funding agreement. During the minimum 6 years of project life, during which the charging station is being maintained and is operational, actual annual usage in kWh per charger or per station must be reported to MBARD in Annual Reports. Each year’s Annual Report is based on a calendar year of use data. Each Annual Report is due by February 1st of the following year.

Funding 

Projects may require match funding. Charge! provides incentive funds as reimbursement after a charging station becomes operational. Applicants must maintain a charging station’s operationality and public access for at least six (6) years after a charging station first becomes operational and passes an inspection by MBARD. Depending on the project and applicant type, Charge! covers a project’s eligible costs up to the maximum awards.  See tables below for maximum funding amounts and percentage covered by project type.

Maximum Funding Amounts Per Project Type

Charger Type Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 + 3
Post Output 19.2+ kW 150+ kW same
Maximum Funding $20,000 per post $200,000 per project* $200,000 per project^

^ A total incentive award above $200,000 may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

 

Funding Percentages Per Project Type

Funding Percentages Infrastructure Projects
Up to 75% Baseline for publicly accessible projects*
100% For charging stations to support K-12 public school buses.
Additional Funding Percentages (“Plus up”)*** Infrastructure Projects**
+ 10% Additional incentive for projects with renewable solar or wind power systems****
+ 10% Additional incentive for projects located near sensitive receptors as determined during staff review.
+10% Additional incentive for projects at heavy-duty truck parking facilities that provide communal charging opportunities (e.g., truck yards, truck depots, truck stops, etc.)

* Public K-12 schools, however, can maintain public accessibility options that fit their needs.

** Additional funding amounts in this table may be combined. Funding amount cannot exceed 100% for public agencies. Funding amounts cannot exceed 85% for non-public entities.

*** Portable power projects will not be eligible for additional funding percentages.

**** At least 50% of the total annual energy provided to electric vehicles by the project must be generated from solar/wind. Solar and wind systems should be appropriately sized to ensure that the annual energy generation does not exceed 100% of the consumption by electric vehicles. 

Additional Resources

Planning Help

Other Incentives

Education and Compliance

Please feel free to contact the MBARD Charge! Team with any questions. Thank you for your interest in the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Grant Program!