Sonoma Coast Incentive Project

The Sonoma Coast Incentive Project promotes easy access to zero-emission vehicle infrastructure for the purchase and installation of eligible electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Mendocino and Sonoma counties – with a total of $6.63 million in available funds over three years.

The Sonoma Coast Incentive Project is presented in partnership with the following:

Please note: If the site qualifies as both a DAC and LIC, each Level 2 connector is only eligible for an additional $500.

A minimum of 25% of both L2 and DCFC funds in Mendocino County will be distributed to DACs/LICs. A minimum of 25% of both L2 and DCFC funds in Sonoma County will be distributed to unincorporated communities.

Note: Sites with a mail address in the cities/towns of Laytonville, Leggett, Ukiah and Willits are not eligible for DCFC funds.

All final rebate amounts are determined by the total eligible project costs. Find out more about eligible site types and eligible rebate amounts for DAC/LIC and non-DAC/LIC applicants in the FAQ section.

Project cost requirements:

• Design, engineering, and utility service request costs are eligible costs incurred starting March 31, 2020 but are incurred at your own risk prior to the date your funds are reserved (e.g. application may be determined ineligible, or funds may be unavailable at time of application)
• All other project costs incurred prior to the date your funds are reserved are ineligible
• Rebates are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis

Applicant requirements:

• Be a site owner or their authorized agent with a Site Verification Form submitted within 5 calendar days of application date
• Be a business, nonprofit organization, California Native American Tribe listed with the Native American Heritage Commission or a public or government entity based in California or operate as a California-based affiliate

Installation site requirements:

DC Fast Chargers

• Located in Mendocino or Sonoma counties
  • Sites with a mail address in the cities/towns of Laytonville, Leggett, Ukiah and Willits are not eligible for DCFC funds.
• Chargers are publicly available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year
• Charger(s) must not be located behind a fence or in a gated parking lot closed to the public after hours
• Premises must be well-lit, secure, and in compliance with all federal, state and municipal laws, ordinances, rules, codes, standards and regulations
• Be an eligible site: airport, casino, city/county/privately-owned parking lot or garage, college/university, gas station, grocery store, hospital, hotel, library, public transit hub, restaurant, retail shopping center, sheriff/police station, urban/suburban retail core, or curbside charging
• All eligible DC fast charger sites are also eligible for Level 2 chargers as part of a combination application

Level 2 Chargers

• Located in Mendocino or Sonoma counties
• Premises must be well-lit, secure, and in compliance with all federal, state and municipal laws, ordinances, rules, codes, standards and regulations
• Be an eligible site: commercial (public availability), workplace (Public or private parking facilities, but must be shared use parking spaces), multi-unit dwelling (Public or private parking facilities, but must be shared use parking spaces), public facility, light-duty fleet use (Public or private parking facilities, but must be shared use parking spaces), or curbside charging

Equipment requirements:

DC Fast Chargers

• New EV charging equipment
• Purchased after the application Funds Reserved date
• Include DCFC dual standard chargers with both CHAdeMO and SAE CCS connector options
• Networked: Equipment and network must have remote diagnostics and be capable of “remote start.” Must also be capable of usage data collection. Minimum 5-year networking agreement (eligible towards total project cost)
• Capable of 50 kW or greater
• If payment is required, must accept some form of credit cards and multiple forms of payment
• Must be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program (NRTL)

Level 2 Chargers

• New EV charging equipment 
• Purchased after the application Funds Reserved date
• ENERGY STAR® Certified
• Networked: Equipment and network must have remote diagnostics and be capable of “remote start.” Must also be capable of usage data collection. Minimum 2-year networking agreement (eligible towards total project cost)
• Capable of 6.2 kW or greater per connector
• If payment is required, must accept some form of credit cards and multiple forms of payment

Eligible Costs

The following equipment and costs are eligible for rebate funds under a Level 2 or DC fast charger application:

• Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)
• Transformer
• Electric Panels
• Energy storage equipment
• All-inclusive solar EV charging systems
• Installation costs (labor and materials)
• Utility service order
• Planning and engineering design costs
• Project signage
• Network agreement with network provider
• Extended warranties
• Stub-outs
• Demand management equipment

Permits as required by authorities having jurisdiction are not eligible costs. Rebate funds do not cover standalone solar panels.

It’s easy, just follow the steps below to apply for your rebate:

DC Fast Chargers or Combination DC Fast Charger/Level 2 Charger

1. Be an eligible applicant with a qualified installation site.

2. Apply online prior to purchasing and installing the EV charger(s) and equipment. Note: design, engineering, and utility service requests costs are eligible (at applicant’s risk) starting March 31, 2020.

3. Upload and submit a completed Site Verification Form within 5 calendar days to avoid application cancellation.

4. We review your application and confirm eligibility. Once your application is qualified, your rebate funds are reserved, and you have 450 calendar days (15 months) to complete your project.

5. Upload and submit required Evidence of Permit submittal or, if upgraded or new utility service is required for the project, Utility Service Design submittal documents within 60 calendar days of the Funds Reserved date to avoid application cancellation.

6. After CSE acceptance of Evidence of Permit submittal or Utility Service Design submittal and within 240 days of Funds Reserved date, you can request a milestone payment. To request a milestone payment, you must submit a permit, signed application, and design invoice at a minimum.

If your project is complete and all required documents uploaded, final payment can be issued.

7. Receive your rebate check in the mail within 15 business days for milestone payment of up to 60% of your reserved funds.

8. Submit your remaining installation documents online. We will review and process for final payment if full payment was not previously awarded.

9. Receive your final rebate check in the mail within 15 business days of application approval.

Level 2 Charger (only)

1. Be an eligible applicant with a qualified installation site.

2. Apply online prior to purchasing and installing the EV charger(s) and equipment. Note: design, engineering, and utility service requests costs are eligible (at applicant’s risk) starting March 31, 2020.

3. Upload and submit a completed Site Verification Form within 5 calendar days to avoid application cancellation.

4. We review your application and confirm eligibility. Once your application is qualified, your rebate funds are reserved, and you have 270 calendar days (9 months) to complete your project.

5. Upload and submit required Evidence of Permit submittal or, if upgraded or new utility service is required for the project, Utility Service Design submittal documents within 60 calendar days of the Funds Reserved date to avoid application cancellation.

6. Submit your remaining installation documents online for CSE review and processing.

7. Receive your rebate check in the mail within 15 business days of application approval.