Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for multi-family Housing (REACH)

This is a competitive grant solicitation. The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program (formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) announces the availability of up to $8,500,000 in grant funds for projects that will increase electric vehicle (EV) charging access for and enable greater plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption by multi-family housing (MFH) residents. For the purpose of this solicitation, MFH is defined as residential properties with multiple dwelling units and excludes single-family dwellings (detached), duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and mobile homes.

The purpose of this solicitation is to demonstrate replicable and scalable business and technology models for large-scale deployment of EV charging infrastructure capable of maximizing access and EV travel for MFH residents. Proposed projects must include charger installations that will benefit and be used by MFH residents within disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, or a combination of both (see Definitions of Key Words, Section V.A.), and are encouraged to pursue installations for affordable housing. Proposed projects must address the following:

·Reliable and replicable charging installations for MFH building types that have characteristics that may challenge onsite installations, such as properties with shared onsite parking, properties with assigned parking spaces for residents, or properties with limited or no onsite parking, and properties that may pose installation challenges due to size or configuration.

·Outreach to MFH residents, particularly MFH within disadvantaged communities and low-income communities, and the residents of affordable housing units, that will explain the benefits of having accessible chargers and provide relevant consumer information on PEVs, including available vehicles and total cost of ownership.

Charger installations and business models that will maximize accessibility and ease of use, and minimize EV charging costs for MFH residents, with either onsite charging or charging stations located in close proximity to MFH properties.

Other support and maintenance services that will ensure reliability.