Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles)

On July 27, 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a grant solicitation and application package (GFO-20-603) entitled “Block Grant for Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Refueling Infrastructure Incentive Projects” under the Clean Transportation Program. This grant solicitation sought a block grant Recipient to design and implement various medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) refueling infrastructure incentive projects throughout California. CALSTART, Inc. (CALSTART) was awarded the agreement at the CEC’s March 2021 Business Meeting.

In April 2021, the CEC announced “Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles),” a first-of-its-kind project to provide funding for electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for zero-emission trucks, buses, and equipment in California. The project will leverage large amounts of funding in order to rapidly accelerate the deployment of MDHD ZEV infrastructure for MDHD ZEVs in a streamlined manner to address critical barriers and gaps to the deployment of MDHD ZEV infrastructure.

EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles is designed to speed up the deployment and installations of MDHD ZEV infrastructure to provide more accessible and reliable electric charging and hydrogen refueling options, which are critical for accommodating future MDHD ZEV fleets. The project plays a key role in helping California achieve the goals set by Executive Order N-79-20, signed in September 2020, which requires 100% of MDHD vehicles in the state to be zero-emission by 2045, where feasible.

EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles will address gaps and reduce barriers to the deployment of MDHD ZEV infrastructure throughout the state, speed up the deployment and installations of necessary electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling stations for fleet use, and will enable targeted infrastructure incentive deployment to disadvantaged communities (per CalEnviroScreen 4.0), low-income communities (per AB 1550), California Native American tribes, and other underserved communities in California to assist in meeting the state’s goals.

EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles began accepting applications in early 2022. CEC staff continues to work closely with CALSTART to refine eligibility criteria and funding requirements for infrastructure equipment through ongoing stakeholder engagement.

In early 2025, EnergIIZE underwent a project refresh that consolidated three of the original four standard funding lanes—EV Fast Track, Hydrogen, and EV Public Charging—into a single, streamlined “Fast Track” lane. This new lane supports both electric charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure projects. The equity-focused EV Jump Start lane is expected to launch in late 2025. Applications for funding will be competitively scored based on readiness criteria for either electric or hydrogen projects, with priority given to those best positioned for rapid deployment and commissioning.

For detailed information on eligibility, funding amounts, and project requirements, please refer to the EnergIIZE Implementation Manual located under the “Workshops and Documents” tab below. 

EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles will continue to roll out additional specialized funding lanes, including targeted carve-outs for drayage trucks and transit buses, as California fleets continue to transition to zero-emission operations.

For more information or questions, please contact energiize@energy.ca.gov or infrastructure@calstart.org.