Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program

Program Overview 

     On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation opened applications for The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program), a new program that will establish publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure nationwide. Created by the BIL, the program awards competitive grants to projects that will accelerate an electrified and alternative fuel transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, accessible, and safe. A priority of the CFI Program is expanding EV charging into all types of residential areas while also addressing environmental justice, particularly for communities that disproportionately experience the consequences from climate change. 

     This round of funding makes up to $700 million available through the program’s two funding opportunities: Community Charging and Fueling Grants (Community Program); and Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program). While applicants can choose to apply for only one grant program, the program allows applicants to simultaneously apply for funding under both programs (if eligible) by submitting only one application. 

The Community Program will provide $350M in FY23 to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, and hydrogen, propane, or natural gas fueling infrastructure in communities. Infrastructure may be located on any public road, publicly accessible locations, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by a private entity. The minimum award size is $500,000 and the maximum award amount is $15 million for Community Program awards.  

The Corridor Program will provide $350M in FY23 to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure and hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors (AFCs). The minimum award size is $1 million and there is no maximum award size for Corridor Program awards.  

Goals & Priorities

Applicants are expected to propose projects that will:  

• Supplement necessary private sector investment;

• Complement existing federal programs;

• Facilitate broad public access to a national charging and alternative fuel infrastructure network to accelerate adoption of zero emissions vehicles;

• Implement Justice40 objectives, lower transportation costs, and increase economic opportunity;

• Advance job quality, workforce development, and workforce equity; and

• Reduce greenhouse gas and vehicle-related emissions.

Priorities for the CFI Program are as follows: 

• Safety 

  • Commitment to advancing safe, efficient transportation.

  • Anticipated outcomes should align with the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).

• Climate Change and Sustainability:  

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, incorporate evidence-based climate resilience measures and features, and reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from the project materials.

  • Avoid adverse environmental impacts to air or water quality, wetlands, and endangered species, and address the disproportionate negative environmental impacts of transportation on disadvantaged communities.

• Equity and Justice40:  

  • Create proportional impacts to all populations in a project area, remove transportation related disparities to all populations in a project area, and increase equitable access to project benefits.

  • Address equity and environmental justice, particularly for communities that have experienced decades of underinvestment and are most impacted by climate change, pollution, and environmental hazards.

• Workforce Development, Job Quality, and Wealth Creation:

  • Creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union and the incorporation of strong labor standards and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships, in project planning stages.

  • Wealth creation, consistent with the DOT’s Equity Action Plan through the inclusion of local inclusive economic development and entrepreneurship such as the utilization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority-owned Businesses, Women-owned Businesses, or 8(a) firms.

• Accessibility:  

  • Commitment to making infrastructure accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Eligibility    

Eligible applicants are as follows:

• A State or political subdivision of a State,

• Territories of the United States

• Metropolitan planning organizations

• Units of local governments

• Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function, including a port authorities

• Indian Tribes

• An authority, agency, or instrumentality of, or an entity owned by, one or more entities as listed above

• A group of entities as listed above and

• A State or local authority with ownership of publicly accessible transportation facilities (Community Program Only)

Cost Sharing: Required, 20% of total project cost.  

Key Dates 

Submission Deadline for Applications: 5/30/23, 11:59 PM EST

CFI Webinars: 

Webinar #1: 3/21/23 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET.

Webinar #2: 3/22/23 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET .

Resources: 

View the Opportunity here. 

Register for the Webinars here and here.  

Read the Press release here.