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    Air District · SCAQMD

    SCAQMD: Stacked EV Charger Rebates for the LA Basin

    The South Coast Air Quality Management District funds EV chargers across LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties — stacking on top of utility and state rebates to push project recovery above 90%.

    Quick Answer

    SCAQMD provides EV charger rebates of up to $80,000 per DC fast charger and $5,000 per Level 2 port for properties in the South Coast Air Basin. Stack on top of SCE Charge Ready, CALeVIP, and the federal 30C tax credit.

    Category

    Air District

    Max Award

    Up to $80,000 per DC fast charger; $5,000 per Level 2 port

    Funding Type

    Rebate / grant

    Timeline

    3–9 months from application to award

    Administrator: South Coast Air Quality Management DistrictStatus: Open in periodic solicitations

    Program Overview

    SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for the four-county South Coast Air Basin — home to over 17 million people and the most polluted air in the country. The district funds EV charging infrastructure as part of its mobile-source emission reduction strategy.

    SCAQMD funding comes through periodic solicitations (often via the Carl Moyer Program, Volkswagen Mitigation Trust funds, or AB 617 community air protection funds). Each solicitation has specific eligibility criteria — fleet, public-access, multifamily, etc.

    Crucially, SCAQMD funds stack on top of utility make-ready (SCE Charge Ready), state rebates (CALeVIP), and federal credits (30C). For LA Basin properties, the SCAQMD layer is often what pushes the total recovery from ~70% to 90%+.

    Funding Details

    DCFC rebateUp to $80,000 per charger
    L2 rebateUp to $5,000 per port
    Heavy-duty fleet incentivesSignificantly higher per-charger amounts
    Equity bonusesAvailable for environmental justice communities

    Eligibility

    • Project located in SCAQMD jurisdiction (LA, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino non-desert)
    • Specific solicitation eligibility (fleet, public, MUD)
    • Networked equipment from approved list
    • Operational commitment of 5+ years
    • Reporting requirements (utilization, emissions reductions)

    Best For

    Properties in the South Coast Air Basin · Fleet operators · Public-access sites · Multifamily housing

    How to Apply for SCAQMD

    Estimated timeline: 3–9 months from application to award

    1. 1

      Confirm jurisdiction and active solicitation

      Verify your property is in SCAQMD's jurisdiction and identify the active funding round at aqmd.gov/grantfunding.

    2. 2

      Match your project to solicitation criteria

      Each round has different eligibility (fleet vs. public, light-duty vs. heavy-duty). Pick the round that matches your use case.

    3. 3

      Prepare project narrative and budget

      SCAQMD applications require an emissions reduction analysis, project budget, schedule, and operational plan.

    4. 4

      Submit application by deadline

      Solicitations are time-bound, not first-come. Submit by the deadline with full documentation.

    5. 5

      Execute funding agreement upon award

      Awarded projects sign a funding agreement specifying milestones, reporting, and operational requirements.

    6. 6

      Install, report, and receive disbursement

      Funds disbursed against milestones (often 50% at install, 50% post-commissioning with reporting compliance).

    Stacking with Other Programs

    SCAQMD is fully stackable with utility programs (SCE Charge Ready), state rebates (CALeVIP), and federal credits (30C). Combined recovery for LA Basin projects can exceed 90% of total cost. SCAQMD typically requires reporting on emissions benefits, so factor in compliance overhead.

    Common Mistakes That Disqualify Applications

    • Applying to a solicitation that doesn't match your project type
    • Missing the application deadline (these are not rolling)
    • Underestimating reporting burden
    • Failing to coordinate SCAQMD timing with utility energization

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Ask Aiden about SCAQMD

    Aiden · AI

    Ask Aiden about this program — eligibility, stacking, deadlines, or how it might apply to your property.

    Informational only — not legal, tax, or investment advice.

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    Related Incentive Programs

    Federal

    NEVI

    Up to 80% of project costs (typically $1M–$2.5M per site)

    State

    CALeVIP

    Up to $80,000 per DC fast charger; up to $7,500 per Level 2 port

    Federal

    30C Tax Credit

    30% of equipment cost, up to $100,000 per single charging port

    Utility

    SCE Charge Ready

    100% of make-ready electrical infrastructure (typically $50K–$200K per site)

    Utility

    PG&E EV Charge Network

    100% of make-ready costs + per-port rebates up to $9,500

    Utility

    SDG&E Power Your Drive

    100% of make-ready + significant equipment rebates