Southeast Portal for Electric Transportation Opportunities

Duke Energy is seeking interested school districts in NC to participate in a forthcoming EV School Bus program. Under this program, Duke Energy will provide charging infrastructure for EV school buses and partial funding for bus deployment. Exact timing of deployments is subject to additional funding opportunities; therefore, at this time, the company is seeking districts replacing buses in 2022 and 2023 that have an interest in deploying EV school buses. Up to $215K of funding for each electric school bus and associated infrastructure available. See link for eligibility and details.

The Innovate Alabama Network seeks applicants from non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and communities for its designation program. The network is designed to recognize and award ecosystem partners for their commitment to support innovation and knowledge-based economic activity. Upon earning a designation, applicants will earn up to $250,000 as an award for acceptance and ongoing access to the Innovate Alabama Network. This award should be used to advance innovation along Innovate Alabama’s people, place, and resource components. See link for details.

The SC Energy Office has received formula funding through the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program to award subgrants to projects and programs that improve energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and reduce energy use. Units of local governments in South Carolina may apply for Energy Office subgrants, if they were not eligible to receive EECBG funding directly from DOE as listed in the EECBG Local Government Allocations. The Energy Office plans to award between 20 and 30 EECBG subgrants ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 each. Cost sharing is not required, but leveraging of funds is encouraged to maximize the energy-related benefits of each project. Additionally, projects in disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) will be prioritized. "Conservation of transportation energy" is among the eligible activity categories. See link for full details and eligibility.

The US Department of Energy is issuing a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the Grid Resilience and Innovative Partnerships (GRIP) GRIP program. will provide funding to modernize the American electric grid and to maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice. Projects that support electric vehicle charging infrastructure, vehicle-to-grid technologies and capabilities, and electric vehicle are among technical approaches of interest and priority investments (among numerous topics). See link for details and for list of eligible applicants. Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: DE-FOA-0003195. Required concept papers are due January 12, 2024.

The State of Alabama is providing funding assistance to 1) strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sites to support the development of convenient, accessible, reliable, and equitable EV charging and/or 2) certain workforce development projects to ensure workforce capacity exists to properly install, operate, and maintain such charging infrastructure through National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding. Applicants may apply for a reimbursement grant of up to 80% of the Project Eligible Costs. See link for details in application guide.

The City of Charlottesville, VA is accepting applications for a grant program to share the cost of EV charging equipment and installation with private property owners who wish to host a publicly accessible charging station. See link for details.

The EPA Clean School Bus Rebate program is provides funding to an eligible entity to subsidize the purchase of a zero-emission (ZE) or clean school bus, eligible infrastructure, and other costs, including workforce training, that meet the requirements described in the Program Guide. Eligible applicants include public school districts, tribal applicants, and specific third parties - see link for details.

The NC Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting applications for the 2023 Mobile Sources Emissions Reduction Program to fund the replacement of older diesel vehicles with cleaner alternatives. The goal of the program is to achieve signification reductions in diesel emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gases. Any private or public sector entity with a physical presence in North Carolina is eligible to apply. All original equipment or vehicles must be operational in the previous two years and the replacement equipment or vehicle must be operated at least 70% in North Carolina for the next 5 years. Projects to replace diesel vehicles with electric vehicles receive bonus points during the scoring process. Bonus points are also available to projects in environmental justice communities or historically under-resourced counties, as well as to projects submitted by minority-owned or women-owned businesses. See link for details.

Duke Energy provides residential customers a one-time credit up to $1,133 per charger to help cover the costs of preparing a home for an electric vehicle charger. Acceptable upgrades include new electric plug-in outlets for a garage, electrical wiring improvements and other required electrical upgrades to support Level 2 or higher EV chargers. *See link for details and eligibility.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants). This program seeks applications and will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. Among numerous topics, for transportation electrification, see Strategy 2: Mobility and Transportation Options for Preventing Air Pollution and Improving Public Health and Climate Resilience. Entities eligible to apply are: 1) A partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs); or 2)A partnership between a CBO and one of the following: a) a Federally-Recognized Tribe; b) a local government; or c) an institution of higher education. Funding opportunity number: EPA-R-OEJECR-OCS-23-04. See link for details.