Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program Round 2 (WAEVCP 2)

The Washington State Department of Commerce has issued Request for Applications (RFA) WAEVCP 2 to solicit qualified applicants for grant funding under the Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program Round 2. This state-funded initiative supports the installation and expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across multifamily residential, publicly accessible, fleet, and workplace sites within Washington State, addressing gaps unfilled by private investment. Eligible applicants include public agencies, federally recognized tribal governments, retail electric utilities, nonprofits, and private entities meeting defined criteria. The program prioritizes new installations of Level 2 chargers delivering at least 6.0 kW per port and Level 3 chargers with a minimum of 150 kW per port, emphasizing compliance with specified technical performance standards. Project sites must demonstrate viability and receive appropriate site host commitments, with special provisions for tribal land projects. The funding mechanism operates on a reimbursement basis tied to deliverable completion, with contracts anticipated to run from March 2026 through March 2028. Applications must be submitted electronically by December 18, 2025, through a dedicated grant portal, accompanied by mandatory documentation including certifications and assurances, a diverse business inclusion plan promoting participation from minority and veteran-owned businesses, and a workers’ rights certification aligned with state executive orders. Evaluation is risk-informed and weighted, largely focusing (for standard projects) on site-related environmental and equity factors, and includes scoring incentives for labor compliance. Award decisions are based on a trade-off process balancing technical merit, equity outcomes, and adherence to program specifications rather than lowest cost. Contracts will require timely installation and operation of charging ports—270 days for Level 2 and 580 days for Level 3 after contract execution—with possible extensions at the state’s discretion. Key contractual elements include site host commitments, compliance with new equipment requirements, and reimbursement-driven payment tied to approved budgets. The program supports Washington’s broader transportation electrification goals by providing critical public funding to encourage the equitable buildout of EV infrastructure statewide.