DC Fast Charging Infrastructure Program - Priority Corridors

Before you submit your application, check your eligibility in the RFP.

Download Required Attachments Checklist

This checklist includes all the required attachments for applications.

Helpful Documents

Application Checklist

Additional Resources

Send Questions to DAQ VW Grants

• Read the RFP and check your project eligibility before applying
• Register for an NCID

A sample application from data entered into the DAQ Grants Management System is provided below.

Example DC Fast Application

Webinar

View the recording of the DC Fast Priority Corridors Program webinar held on March 1, 2022.

Download the DC Fast Priority Corridors Program presentation

MJ Bradley & Associates - Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Location Identification Tool and Visualization Map

M.J. Bradley & Associates recently added 2,300 miles of North Carolina interstates and highways to the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Location Identification Tool and Visualization Map, created by MJB&A and Georgetown Climate Center’s Transportation and Climate Initiative. This tool includes over 11,000 miles of key plug-in electric vehicle corridors in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic coastal states from Maine to North Carolina.  It can help with evaluating the existing public plug-in electric vehicle DC fast charging infrastructure and utilizes a focused dataset to identify possible suitable locations for future plug-in electric vehicle charging infrastructure development. The tool is free to use. You must register here first

How to I know if I need a DC Fast or a Level 2?  I don’t know which one?

DC Fast – short term charging (suitable along transit corridors to allow motorists to quickly continue to their destination).

Level 2 – long term charging (suitable at a destination, workplace or multi-unit dwelling, locations where the motorist will be at the site for 45 minutes or longer).

What if we have a charger with a max power output for 160Kw and for simultaneous charging it divides the power to 85Kw.  How do we enter this detail?

You can list it as 1 port at 160kW or 2 ports at 85Kw.  There is a per port reimbursement cap for $142,500 per port if its 160kW.  Remember each site will be required to have at least one CHAdeMO plug. 

Does the business entity have to be registered with NC Secretary of State?

Yes

More detail on applying for DC Fast even if not on Priority corridor?

The program goal is to provide EV charging coverage across the state for EV drivers. Applications not on the priority corridors are encouraged to apply as all funds might not be expended on Priority Corridors if not enough eligible applications are received.

How would sites be scored if not on Priority Corridor?

Applications not on the priority corridor will receive points based on how far the site is from the corridor. Details are in the RFP under Project Selection Criteria.

What about Historically Under-Resourced County Outreach Program scoring?

​​​​​​​Applications for projects in one of the 37 identified Historically Under-Resourced Counties will receive 10 bonus points.

As a supplier will I have access to those who were awarded funding?

​​​​​​​This information will be made available on our webpage after the funding awards are made.

How do we determine if a non-functioning charger is near our location?

​​​​​​​It would be best to contact either Plug-in NC, EV Share, or one of the EV groups in state. We do not have that information.

Will DEQ provide access to the Average Daily map for Traffic counts?

​​​​​​​This information can be found on the NCDOT website, https://connect.ncdot.gov/resources/State-Mapping/pages/traffic-volume-maps.aspx.

Some suppliers are experiencing long delivery dates.

​​​​​​​This is understood, our standard contract terms are for two years. If an awardee has a project where the completion will be delayed past the contract end date due to supplier shortages; you should contact the program manager on how to request an extension to the contract. You will need to provide details for the extension request.

Can DEQ assist in working with the local electrical utilities as well?

​​​​​​​No.

Can you please confirm that networking and software are considered eligible costs?

​​​​​​​Networking is included; certain software is eligible. Eligible costs are listed in the RFP. If you have any additional questions, please contact the program manager.

How is the program defining an interchange?

​​​​​​​An interchange is defined as an exit off an interstate or highway.

While the grant RFP says that federal entities are eligible, it also states the property must be publicly accessible.  Since in non-pandemic times my facility hosts conference and large scientific meetings that the public can attend would that count as publicly accessible?

​​​​​​​Accessible 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to the general public without restriction.

How do we know if there are already three people in GMS?

If you submit a request for access and there are already three users from your organization with access, you will be notified that the limit for users has been reached.

Many manufacturers are predicting long delivery times, up to 30 weeks for 120Kw and 180Kw chargers.  Once the contract is agreed is this the soonest date, we can order the equipment?

Awardees must have a fully executed contract prior to beginning any work on the project. A fully executed contract is signed by your organization and the Financial Services Division of DEQ.

Is there a way to estimate the annual electricity usage in MWh for the renewable energy certificates?

The equipment vendor should be able to provide this information.

Could you speak about Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)? Not familiar with ESVE?

​​​​​​​Renewable energy certificates (also known as renewable energy credits, or RECs) represent the energy generated by renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power facilities. Buying RECs is not equivalent to buying electricity. Instead, RECs represent the clean energy attributes of renewable electricity.

You can purchase RECs along with your electricity. RECs are certificates that transfer the “renewable” aspects of renewable energy to the owner. In other words, renewable energy credits, paired with electricity from the grid, are renewable energy that is being generated on your behalf.

EVSE means electric vehicle supply equipment also known as  EV chargers.

Where can I find the map of the priority corridor?

​​​​​​​The priority corridor map is available on website and in the RFP.

I have multiple sites I would like to submit applications for, do I create a separate application for each?

​​​​​​​Yes, each application is for a specific location.

If a proposed project entails installing ZEV charging equipment at a business, does the charging equipment need to be accessible to the public and not just employees?

The DC Fast Priority Corridor Charging RFP must be publicly accessible.  DEQ will have a Level 2 Workplace RFP that will be released in April specifically for non-public workplace charging. 

We are constructing a new building off I-40.  The site has been prepped for utilities for the new building and utilities for the parking lot.  Can the work being done now be included in an application as match or not?

No, any work completed prior to an award and fully executed contract is not reimbursable.

If a location is, or will be under construction, how far along can the project be at the time the grant contract is awarded?

​​​​​​​Any work completed prior to an award and fully executed contract is not reimbursable.

Is it possible to apply for both C Fast and Level 2?

​​​​​​​Yes, this would be two separate applications for two separate programs.

Are mobile DCFC units that are powered by renewable energy eligible?

There are solar powered charging units currently available on the market. These types of charges would be eligible and subject to the same maximum funding limits per port.​​​​​​​

So does this mean that chargers outside the priority corridors have a chance for funding if priority corridors don’t get the funding?

​​​​​​​Yes, it is possible depending on the number of eligible applications received and awarded funding on the priority corridors.

Our chargers are less than a mile from a medical waste incineration facility.  I was told to include this in the application once it opens.  Does the EJ score take that into consideration?

​​​​​​​The current criteria that are used to determine potentially underserved populations is related to both poverty level within a block group and to race and ethnicity within a block group and is compared on both the county and the state level.

Adding this additional information my be helpful if there is a tie score between projects to determine which one should receive funding.

Will other considerations such as Innovative Technologies or energy storage mitigation be factored into scoring?

No not in scoring – include this information in the essay discussing your Project. 

Does DEQ have insight in dealing with demand changes to utilities?

No, that would be a question for your electric utility provider.

Can you talk more about the matching funds aspect of this funding?

Matching funds come from either your organization or a partner organization. 

Can you clarify the funding for different power levels attain? Must a dual port charger be able to charge to CCS or 2 CHAdeMO at the same time to get funding for each port?

The Funding Chart has been updated on our Website and in the RFP.

What are the criteria for your county to be eligible for the grant?

​​​​​​​All counties in North Carolina are eligible. Counties identified as historically under-resourced in the RFP will receive bonus points in the application.

Do you have recommendations for suppliers that are US Based?

​​​​​​​No.  DEQ does not recommend suppliers.

Please confirm in addition to the chargers being available 24/7 that the supporting amenities must also be open 24/7?

​​​​​​​No amenities are not required to be 24/7, points will be determined based on the distance of the amenities to the project site.

If the business is not a 24/7 but the access to the location is available 24/7 (example Chick-fil-A) is that location considered a 24/7 location?

Yes.  As long as the charger is available for public use when the business is closed.  Two parking spaces must be marked as EV only charging and dedicated for the charger.

Do all suppliers provide the customer support services 24/7?

​​​​​​​Contact your preferred vendor. 

Confirm distance to Interchange is driving distance as opposed to linear distance?

Driving distance. 

When measuring distance to exiting DCFC within AFDC website along corridor driving or linear?

​​​​​​​Driving distance. 

How do you become a vendor?

To register as a business entity apply with the North Carolina Secretary of State.  https://www.sosnc.gov/.

Does the grant require a specific brand of DC Fast charger?

​​​​​​​No.

Is each port required to have CCS and CHAdeMO for simultaneous charging?

Yes, both are required, but simultaneous charging is not required.  

The I-95 corridor is on the map; is I-295 and I-95 Business the same?

No

Do most locations charge for the DC charging? If so on average how much? 

​​​​​​​It is up to the site owner to determine whether to charge to use the awarded chargers. Charging equipment vendors would be a better resource to answer questions on how much is charged at various charger or you can also check webpages like PlugShare.com.

When determining port charging capacity should we use the higher number from the vendor the lower? 

If it is a dual port charger and steps down the capacity when 2 vehicles are charging you will need to either enter it as 1 port at the higher rate or 2 ports at the lower rate.  Remember each port requires a CCS and CHAdeMO plug.

If the project site is a leased location with a lease longer than 5 years, does the applicant need a host site agreement?

​​​​​​​Yes, all applications will need a host site agreement. A commitment is required as documentation with the application and awarded projects are required to submit a signed host site agreement prior to contract execution.

Does this grant require the installation of a particular brand of fast charger, or will it help fund installing the infrastructure, i.e. trenching conduit wiring etc., for installation after the two year construction completion deadline?

​​​​​​​DEQ is vendor neutral.  No, any costs incurred after the contract ends will not be reimbursed.  The charging equipment must be installed and working prior to the reimbursement. Photographic proof of the charger is required with claim submittals and DEQ will complete a site visit to see the charger before approving any claims reimbursements.

Will the grant fund the infrastructure install so that another brand of fast charger can be installed after the completion deadline?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You are required to future proof the site by either installing infrastructure to double the number of chargers or double the kW rating of the proposed charger.  Details are in the RFP.