Virginia Clean Cities is excited to partner with Virginia Energy to announce and support the new EV Charging Assistance Program (EVCAP). This subaward program will work at the community level to understand and address issues surrounding the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and will inform current and future EV charging deployment.

The grants are open to EV charging vendors or for collaborations between governments and technology providers.

Projects will include installation of EV chargers to evaluate and measure the benefits to underserved communities. Leveraging additional funding is strongly encouraged but not required. Brownfields, including previously mined lands, should be given preference when considering site selection. All areas within Virginia with a focus on disadvantaged and rural communities as defined by the Justice 40 criteria will be included.

Total Funding Available: Up to $1,100,000

Proposal Amount: Subawards up to $400,000. *The Virginia Department of Energy may elect to partially award proposals at its discretion.

Proposals for the initial round of funding will be accepted until February 16, 2024.

General reporting requirements

The Program will maintain and report metrics on volume of equipment intake calls, communities assisted and the deployment of EV charging solutions. Awardees must report specific benefits for Justice 40 compliance as detailed in Presidential Executive Order 14008 Section 223 and subsequent guidance. Metrics may include micro-mobility, policy solutions and EV charging deployment. Additional data will include attendance at public events and outreach contact metrics related to the program.

Each project proposal should include plans for documentation of invoiced work as well as quarterly progress reports summarizing work completed

Additional requirements:

  • An analysis of grid capacity is required for each installation. This analysis must be provided to Virginia Energy prior to initiation of on-site work.
  • Each install will be a reportable case study and metric detailed in internal reports, an annual report and onto federal websites. Public charging will be detailed on the app “Plugshare,” which will include site photos.
  • Reporting will use Census poverty data, the Electric Vehicle Charging Justice40 Map and the EPA EJ40 screening tool to identify and prioritize EVSE siting in high-poverty and EJ40 community.
  • Installation reports shall include cost share details, information on addition leveraged funding and a summary of potential economic benefits.
  • Details on long term maintenance and operation plans must be included.
  • Awardees will be required to meet all terms of conditions of funding as well as provide documentation of compliance with Build America Buy American Act (BABA) and Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage requirements when requested.

Justice 40 requirements:

  • For certain federal projects like this program, 40% or more of the benefits are intended to benefit disadvantage communities as laid out in federal executive order.
  • The project advances federal goals of installing 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030 and the Justice40 Initiative which seeks to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of federal investment in clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities.
  • The project team (including all sub awardees) will use existing partnerships with Justice 40, environmental justice and brownfields communities to advance these priorities.

Justice 40 evaluation and Analysis tools:

Explore the map – Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (geoplatform.gov)

Energy Justice Dashboard (anl.gov)

Virginia EJ Screen

Build America Buy American Act, Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Historic Preservation considerations:

  • The funding is subject to BABA rules and this program will consider only BABA-compliant Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) as outlined by Executive Order 14005 or seek allowable exclusions as appropriate.
  • Davis Bacon prevailing wage rules apply to this federal funding subgrant opportunity.
  • NEPA is primarily a geolocation requirement associated with community benefits applicable due to EVSE at previously disturbed areas such as parking lots are categorically excluded according to current guidance.
  • The Advisory Council on History Preservation (ACHP) published Exemptions from Historic Preservation Review for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment on November 2, 2022, that apply to this opportunity

Budget:

This program includes a total investment of up to $1,100,000 over a five-year performance period. This project allows the purchase and reimbursement for chargers, at competitive and lean rates, based on peer review of other programs. The program would only partially fund these installations and would report cost share details and full installation and operation details.

Project proposals require a minimum cost share of 20 percent. Cost share beyond 20 percent will be viewed favorably.

Applications:

For more information about the program and how to apply, click here: EVCAP Application

All subaward applicants must use the application format provided. Applications may include additional attachments. Attachments should be limited to essential information.

Eligible applicants and activities:

Eligible applicants for charger installation work can include private businesses or government-industry partnerships. Activities include the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargers.