DOE Announces $99.5 Million to Ensure Widespread and Accelerated Electrification of America’s Transportation Sector

May 22, 2023

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new $99.5 million funding opportunity supports projects to reduce soft costs to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in underserved communities, provide consumer education on EVs and EV charging, and develop batteries that use low-cost, abundant materials. This announcement supports the President’s Investing in America agenda by onshoring and re-shoring domestic manufacturing of key technologies and infrastructure that are critical to reaching the nation’s clean transportation future.

This funding opportunity seeks the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups, and applicants are required to submit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plans describing actions taken to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, support people from underrepresented groups in STEM, and advance equity. Applicants must submit a concept paper by June 26, 2023, and full applications are due on August 11, 2023.

This funding opportunity includes topics that encourage Clean Cities coalition participation as well as topics that require a percentage of project budgets are allocated to a Clean Cities coalition:

  • Area of Interest 11: Reducing Soft Costs of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure to Enable Widespread Deployment – Clean Cities coalitions are encouraged as partners
  • Area of Interest 12: Consumer Education Campaign for Electric Vehicles and Charging – Clean Cities coalitions are encouraged as partners
  • Area of Interest 13: Demonstration and Deployment – Open Topic – “The project team must include at least one active and DOE-designated Clean Cities coalition with a significant role (at least 25% of project budget)”
  • Area of Interest 14: Clean Cities Coalition Network Outreach, Education and Training – “To be eligible an applicant must have a minimum of 75% of the project budget allocated to DOE-designated Clean Cities coalitions or their host organizations”

For more information VTO funding opportunities and guidance on the application process, please visit the VTO Funding Opportunities webpage.