Are you a commercial property owner who’s considering installing electric vehicle charging stations? Two state programs are offering 80-90% funding for certain types of EV charging projects, and CLEER (the nonprofit that manages the programs of Garfield Clean Energy) can help you get it.

The Colorado Energy Office’s Charge Ahead grant program helps cover the costs of purchasing and installing EV charging equipment at sites that offer public or visitor parking. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis for projects that consist of three or fewer Level 2 stations at workplaces, multi-family housing complexes and public facilities. The most common form of public charging equipment, Level 2 stations top up a battery at a rate of 20-45 miles of charge per hour.

Most types of qualifying projects are eligible for grants of up to 80% of costs, but Charge Ahead will fund up to 90% of costs for installations in income-qualified housing developments. There are additional incentives for projects in disproportionately impacted communities.

The second funding opportunity is through the Energy Office’s soon-to-be-launched EV Fast-Charging Plazas program, which is geared for projects involving the more powerful charging stations that are typically located in strategic, high-traffic sites. While most funding is expected to go to projects in more populous areas, the Western Slope will likely get a piece of it, and in fact projects outside the Front Range are eligible for higher funding amounts – up to $125,000 per charger, or a maximum of 80% of project costs, according to the program website.

Prospective applicants for either program can receive free technical advice and grant support from CLEER, which is the Colorado Energy Office’s designated “coach” for Garfield County and all of northwest Colorado. For more information, contact Martín Bonzi at mbonzi@cleanenergyeconomy.net.