How to Take Advantage of EV Charging Station Grants
2021 is an exceptional time to invest in EV charging stations, especially along highway corridors and at travel centers. But the truth of the matter is that the investment is a strategic one for any commercial customer.
The key benefit to investing in EV Charging stations in 2021 and 2022 is the abundance of accessible EV Charging Station grants available to businesses. But these EV charging stations grants won’t last forever.
The deployment of EV charging stations is a priority for the federal government and local governments across the United States. As a result, some businesses that install and commit to operating EV charging stations may have access to various government grants and incentives to encourage station installation and to improve their return on investment (ROI). That’s why taking steps to financially future-proof your business now will save you time, money, and keep you one step ahead of the competition.
For regional businesses interested in pursuing EV Charging station installation, the biggest hurdle is often knowing where to start. That’s because the different incentives and grants for installing and operating EV charging stations are not intuitive. Finding programs you qualify for, and knowing how to make the most of those grants, requires expertise. That’s why we encourage you to turn to EV Charging Experts, like the professionals at LilyPad EV.
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LilyPad EV is building the fueling network of the future and has pioneered charging station planning and installation since 2009. We offer extensive electrical expertise with trusted trade partners to provide effective, well-thought-out solutions to meet your EV charging project expectations—no matter your industry.
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We’ve worked with over 400 companies across 37 states and have installed charging stations at over 1000 locations nationwide. Our stations have charged EVs more than 2 million times. Our services include comprehensive consultation for your EV charging needs, site surveys, project management, and professional EV charging station installation. With this expertise, you can rest assured that you’re receiving expert guidance in the acquisition and optimal implementation of EV Charging Station Grants and Incentives when you work with us.
We’re committed to providing businesses with all the knowledge and information they need to make educated decisions regarding EV Charging investment. That’s why we’re here to explain everything you need to know about EV Charging Station Incentives for businesses.
Read on to learn how to take advantage of EV Charging station grants.
What are EV Charging Station Grants?
Commercial EV charging is not yet widely available, and while profitable, returns take some time. It’s an investment in your business’s future. Though a wise investment, Federal and State EV Charging Station Grant programs make investing in EV Charging a more lucrative business plan in the short term, as demand increases. The steady growth of demand is projected to continue to rise well into 2025 and beyond and is what makes EV Charging investments so wise.
Getting in on the ground floor will enable you to access all the benefits of government grants and incentive programs with minimal competition. This also allows you to try EV Charging to see what does and doesn’t work for your business. But these operational benefits aside, incentive programs are one of the unique mechanisms for improving your ROI in the present and not purely in the future.
Various grants and incentives are available to businesses, offered at the Federal, State, and Local levels.
Federal Tax Credits
Federal tax credits are the most widely available EV charging incentive. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (IRS form 8911) provides tax credit for commercial businesses that install “alternative fuel vehicle refueling properties,” such as EV charging stations, and maintain them for no fewer than 5 years. This credit applies retroactively to any expenditures associated with alternative fuel infrastructure starting from 2018.
Filed through IRS form 8911, this credit provides a general business credit for businesses that install EV charging stations. The incentive covers 30% of the EV Charging Station installation cost, up to a maximum of $30,000 per address. To continue to qualify, you must maintain your charging station’s network and warranty for the full 5 years of operation.
You should communicate with your accountant to check the availability of this tax credit for your business. If an option, this is an excellent opportunity for your business to take advantage of. This credit provides the means to substantially lower the dollar amount spent on the initial installation of charging stations.
State Grants and Incentives
While the IRS Form 8911 Federal Tax Credit is accessible in any part of the U.S., many tax credits and incentives are available at the state level. These incentives and grants apply on top of what’s offered by the federal government, making them essential for optimizing your EV charging investment.
The coverage and qualifications for these programs vary from state to state, so making sure you can take advantage of them is critical. We here at LilyPad EV have experience helping businesses across the country find incentives and grant programs to support their EV installation efforts.
Here are a few examples of statewide incentive programs and how to take advantage of them:
Charge Ahead Colorado
One example of an incredibly robust statewide program is the Charge Ahead program in Colorado.
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) jointly administer the Charge Ahead Colorado electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure grant program. Grants are available for electric vehicles and community-based Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations. Since its inception in 2013, the Charge Ahead Colorado program has awarded more than 1000 EV charging stations across the state. The program will provide grants of up to $50,000 for qualified projects and can cover up to 80% of the cost of purchasing and installing new EV charging units.
Charge Ahead has three application rounds per year, with applications available to public and private businesses interested in installing Level 2 or Level 3 charging stations. The program is especially interested in EV charging stations installation in workplaces, multi-family housing facilities, and tourist destinations.
EVSE Rebate Program in Maryland
Another statewide incentive program is the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Rebate Program (EVSE) in Maryland.
The EVSE Rebate Program provides monetary support to businesses looking to purchase and install EV charging stations and support equipment. The intent is to minimize the cost out-of-pocket for the purchase of new charging equipment to improve ROI. By reducing the financial burden of EV charging station installation, Maryland’s government is working to increase EV adoption across the state and meet greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The program is first-come-first-served, meaning it’s highly competitive, and the program’s total funding in 2021 was $1,800,000. Commercial participants can receive a rebate for up to 40% of the investment, capping at $4,000 per address. No individual commercial entity can receive more than 18% of the overall EVSE budget, so state-spanning projects cap at a rebate of $324,000.
Charge Up LA! in California
California recently passed legislation banning the sale of gas-operated vehicles across the state by 2035. The Project is working to help the state meet that goal by encouraging the expanse of California’s EV infrastructure.
Charge Up LA! is just one of many local, state-backed programs across California designed to move the state towards that ambitious deadline.
The program offers up to $4,000 per Level 2 station, with $1,000 added for stations installed within disadvantaged communities. An additional $500 is available to businesses across the metropolitan area for dual-port station installations, with up to $75,000 per station and $125,000 per station for medium or heavy-duty vehicles.
The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) is an umbrella organization that comprises dozens of different EV Charging Grants and rebate programs for investments in EV charging infrastructure. The organization’s database for California rebate programs could save your business thousands in costs and taxes.
Local Incentive Opportunities
Governments aren’t the only entities working with businesses to expand EV charging infrastructure. Some local organizations and utility companies also provide incentives for installing EV charging stations at businesses across their service area. Since utility providers benefit from people using more power, they may offer incentives to companies considering installing travel center EV charging stations.
In Missouri, for example, Ameren offers incentives for businesses seeking to install EV charging stations. Companies that qualify for these incentives—including workplaces, multi-family homes, and other publicly accessible locations—can receive $5,000 per port for level 2 stations and $20,000 for level 3 stations. Ameren’s incentive program covers up to 50% of the total project cost.
Learn more about EV Charging Incentives and maximizing your ROI →
These programs are a great way to improve your ROI and supplement the comprehensive suite of rebates, tax credits, and grants available to businesses purchasing and installing EV charging stations.
Tools for Identifying Available EV Charging Station Grants
As mentioned before, expertise is key in identifying EV Charging Station grants you qualify for—and implementing them most effectively. As such, it’s always helpful to have an experienced guide.
When looking for EV charging station incentives to bolster your ROI, our partner, ChargePoint, has a fantastic guide to EV charging incentives. It can help you find the best incentives in your area fast.
If you’re looking for more personalized support and assistance identifying EV Charging Station Grants available to you, contact us here at LilyPad EV. In our consultations, we will have a detailed discussion about your charging needs and how to maximize your ROI.
LilyPad EV: EV Charging Experts For Your Business.
As EV charging infrastructure becomes more profitable, having experience owning and operating EV charging stations will be an invaluable asset to your business. The best way to gain that experience is to take advantage of the EV Charging Station Grants available to businesses across the country. You need someone with experience to help you navigate the process of application, utilization, and installation, and that’s where LilyPad EV can’t be beaten. LilyPad EV is the right choice for all your consultation needs.
The knowledge we’ve gained from over a decade of installing EV charging stations makes LilyPad EV an unmatched advisor in all things EV charging. We’ve been here since the very beginning of the EV market, and we offer optimized expert turnkey solutions to meet your EV charging needs and benefit your business.
Now more than ever, investing in the EV charging market can provide unbeatable value to your business. With the current need for electric vehicles only growing, taking advantage of EV grants and incentives now will maximize your ROI while priming you for future business success.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation & learn more about how LilyPad EV is an ideal partner to help identify ROI maximization opportunities for your business. The future of automotive travel is right around the bed, so let LilyPad EV future-proof your business!