California NEVI solicitation 3: Secure your share of $79M for corridor EV charging
For California retailers, the window to turn your location into a high-traffic EV destination is wide open. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has officially released Solicitation 3 (GFO-25-602), providing $79 million in federal NEVI funds to complete the build-out of the state's Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).
With more EVs on California roads than any other state, the demand for high-speed charging is no longer a "future" need, it is an immediate need. For owners of convenience stores, gas stations, and travel centers, CA NEVI Round 3 offers a way to modernize your property at a discount.
The funding structure: California's best NEVI round yet
Unlike previous rounds, Solicitation 3 is laser-focused on completing the network gaps. This is your chance to secure a permanent, high-revenue asset with significantly reduced capital risk:
- Total Available Funding: $79 Million.
- Federal Share: The NEVI program can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.
- Match Requirement: Applicants are responsible for at least an 20% match share.
- Timeline: Proposals are due March 25, 2026.
Key technical requirements:
- To qualify, your site must support high-power throughput to meet federal standards:
- 4-Port Minimum: Sites must feature at least four CCS1 DC fast charging ports.
- 150kW Power Level: Each port must deliver at least 150kW simultaneously.
- Each NEVI-funded port must maintain 97% uptime.
Scoring to win: What the CEC is looking for:
A good starting point is our breakdown of last year’s CA NEVI winners and losing trends. You can view that here.
California’s selection process is highly competitive. For this round of funding, your application must excel in several critical areas:
Project Readiness & Speed: The CEC prioritizes projects that can get "chargers in the ground" quickly. This is where many projects stall due to grid constraints. Electric Era’s battery-backed technology allows for high-power charging even on limited grid connections, often bypassing the need for expensive and time-consuming utility upgrades.
Operations & Maintenance (O&M): Winning bids must demonstrate a robust plan for 5-year maintenance. Electric Era provides a comprehensive, single-source O&M solution, ensuring your site remains a reliable destination for drivers without requiring you to manage technical repairs.
Why partner with Electric Era?
Navigating the 2026 NEVI landscape requires an experienced partner. Electric Era has an 85% win rate across our NEVI and State grant proposals and has helped partners secure over $25M in NEVI funds across the country.
- Grid Independence: Our patented energy management system handles the "heavy lifting," meaning you can deploy 150kW+ chargers even if your local grid infrastructure is limited.
- Proven Success: We have already successfully deployed infrastructure in complex utility territories, achieving operational status in as little as eight months.
- End-to-end project management: We handle everything from the initial discovery call and grant application to installation and long-term performance reporting.
Go beyond California: Join our 2026 grant roadmap webinar
While the $79M available in California is a massive opportunity, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Nationwide, there is over $500 million in active and upcoming funding across key markets like Ohio, Illinois, and Washington.
To help you navigate this complex landscape, the Electric Era Government Affairs team is hosting an exclusive webinar to share the strategies we've used to secure over $40M in total funding for our partners.
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What we’ll cover:
- The 2026 forecast: Key dates and deadlines for the most lucrative grant cycles.
- Winning application essentials: Exactly what the CEC and other agencies look for in a top-tier bid.
- Avoiding common pitfalls: How to solve the "complex puzzle" of utility power, local permits, and grant paperwork before it stalls your project.
For California retailers, the window to turn your location into a high-traffic EV destination is wide open. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has officially released Solicitation 3 (GFO-25-602), providing $79 million in federal NEVI funds to complete the build-out of the state's Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).
With more EVs on California roads than any other state, the demand for high-speed charging is no longer a "future" need, it is an immediate need. For owners of convenience stores, gas stations, and travel centers, CA NEVI Round 3 offers a way to modernize your property at a discount.
The funding structure: California's best NEVI round yet
Unlike previous rounds, Solicitation 3 is laser-focused on completing the network gaps. This is your chance to secure a permanent, high-revenue asset with significantly reduced capital risk:
- Total Available Funding: $79 Million.
- Federal Share: The NEVI program can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs.
- Match Requirement: Applicants are responsible for at least an 20% match share.
- Timeline: Proposals are due March 25, 2026.
Key technical requirements:
- To qualify, your site must support high-power throughput to meet federal standards:
- 4-Port Minimum: Sites must feature at least four CCS1 DC fast charging ports.
- 150kW Power Level: Each port must deliver at least 150kW simultaneously.
- Each NEVI-funded port must maintain 97% uptime.
Scoring to win: What the CEC is looking for:
A good starting point is our breakdown of last year’s CA NEVI winners and losing trends. You can view that here.
California’s selection process is highly competitive. For this round of funding, your application must excel in several critical areas:
Project Readiness & Speed: The CEC prioritizes projects that can get "chargers in the ground" quickly. This is where many projects stall due to grid constraints. Electric Era’s battery-backed technology allows for high-power charging even on limited grid connections, often bypassing the need for expensive and time-consuming utility upgrades.
Operations & Maintenance (O&M): Winning bids must demonstrate a robust plan for 5-year maintenance. Electric Era provides a comprehensive, single-source O&M solution, ensuring your site remains a reliable destination for drivers without requiring you to manage technical repairs.
Why partner with Electric Era?
Navigating the 2026 NEVI landscape requires an experienced partner. Electric Era has an 85% win rate across our NEVI and State grant proposals and has helped partners secure over $25M in NEVI funds across the country.
- Grid Independence: Our patented energy management system handles the "heavy lifting," meaning you can deploy 150kW+ chargers even if your local grid infrastructure is limited.
- Proven Success: We have already successfully deployed infrastructure in complex utility territories, achieving operational status in as little as eight months.
- End-to-end project management: We handle everything from the initial discovery call and grant application to installation and long-term performance reporting.
Go beyond California: Join our 2026 grant roadmap webinar
While the $79M available in California is a massive opportunity, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Nationwide, there is over $500 million in active and upcoming funding across key markets like Ohio, Illinois, and Washington.
To help you navigate this complex landscape, the Electric Era Government Affairs team is hosting an exclusive webinar to share the strategies we've used to secure over $40M in total funding for our partners.
What we’ll cover:
- The 2026 forecast: Key dates and deadlines for the most lucrative grant cycles.
- Winning application essentials: Exactly what the CEC and other agencies look for in a top-tier bid.
- Avoiding common pitfalls: How to solve the "complex puzzle" of utility power, local permits, and grant paperwork before it stalls your project.
