Because the transition to sustainable transportation accelerates, the quickly rising variety of Individuals driving EVs are looking for sturdy and dependable charging stations for his or her electrical autos (EVs). To handle this problem, the US federal authorities’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant program will play a pivotal position in supporting the event and deployment of EV charging stations and different different fueling infrastructure. Right here’s what you have to know concerning the new CFI grant program.
About CFI
Created by Congress by way of the Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act in 2021, the CFI Program is a aggressive grant program designed to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging and different fueling infrastructure in city and rural areas.
By concentrating on each designated Various Gas Corridors (AFCs) and locations the place individuals stay and work, this program goals to make trendy and sustainable charging and fueling infrastructure available to everybody who drives an alternate gas car comparable to an EV. With a big funding dedication of $2.5 billion over 5 years, the CFI Program offers two funding classes: the Group Charging and Fueling Grants (Group Program) and the Various Gas Hall Grants (Hall Program).
CFI and NEVI Grants
The CFI program affords aggressive grants for initiatives that complement and broaden upon the initiatives of the NEVI program. It acknowledges the necessity to fill charging infrastructure gaps in numerous settings, together with:
City CentersThe CFI program goes past the main focus of NEVI on different gas corridors (AFCs) by making funding out there for charging stations in city facilities like downtown districts. This ensures handy entry to charging infrastructure in densely populated metropolis areas.
Rural AreasThe CFI program additionally extends its attain to much less populated rural areas. Doing so helps bridge the charging infrastructure hole in these communities, making certain that EV homeowners in rural areas have entry to dependable charging stations.
Deprived and Low-Revenue CommunitiesOne of the highest priorities of the CFI program is to advertise equitable entry to electrical car charging infrastructure. By specializing in deprived and low-income communities, this system goals to supply alternatives for all Individuals to drive and cost EVs.
Moreover, the CFI program will broaden EV charging stations and different different gas infrastructure past AFCs and into the localities throughout the nation. New different fueling stations will likely be strategically deployed in numerous locations the place Individuals drive on daily basis, together with:
Native ParksCharging stations at native parks allow EV homeowners to conveniently cost their autos whereas having fun with leisure actions and out of doors areas.
SchoolsInstalling charging infrastructure at colleges offers a precious useful resource for households and workers who drive EVs and showcases sustainable transportation choices to the youthful era.
Parking FacilitiesBy incorporating charging stations in public parking services, the CFI program enhances accessibility for EV homeowners, encouraging EV adoption and supporting the comfort of charging whereas people go about their each day routines.
{Qualifications} for CFI Funding
Whereas the states administer the principle NEVI grant program with funds disbursed to companies, CFI is instantly administered by the US Division of Transportation. Eligible candidates for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program embody a various vary of entities, making certain broad participation and engagement within the development of EV infrastructure. These eligible entities embrace states or political subdivisions of states, metropolitan planning organizations, models of native governments, particular objective districts, and public authorities with a transportation perform, together with port authorities. Moreover, federally acknowledged Indian tribes, U.S. Territories, authorities, businesses, and instrumentalities are additionally eligible to use.
Purposes for CFI Funding
The CFI Program is a big dedication to growing charging and fueling infrastructure by making as much as $700 million out there for this Discover of Funding Alternative (NOFO). The funding allocation consists of $300 million for FY 2022 and $400 million for FY 2023, making certain substantial monetary help for eligible initiatives. The primary spherical of purposes has been submitted and evaluations are presently underway, whereas particulars concerning spherical two will likely be introduced quickly. Candidates are suggested to vigilantly monitor Grants.gov for any updates associated to their submission.
How Blink Helps
Blink is teaming up with municipalities and state governments which have secured CFI funding to boost charger accessibility in colleges, parking services, and parks. By working along with native governments pursuing comparable initiatives, Blink goals to contribute considerably to creating extra sustainable communities with higher entry to EV chargers.
Blink’s Stage 2 chargers help the day-to-day routines of EV homeowners, making certain clean journeys with none inconvenience attributable to charging delays. These chargers align completely with the accessibility targets outlined by the CFI grant, permitting Blink and its companions to bridge current gaps in electrical car charging infrastructure.
With the invaluable help of the CFI grant program, mixed with sturdy partnerships from like-minded entities, the imaginative and prescient of EV accessibility might be achieved and allow EV homeowners to journey with confidence, realizing they’ve dependable charging options wherever they go.
Able to get began with internet hosting EV charging stations at what you are promoting or neighborhood? Click on right here to register for our September 5 webinar, “Perceive the Nationwide EV Infrastructure (NEVI) Program.”