3 Things to Know Before You Apply for Fast Charge California Funding

If you manage or own commercial property in California, you’ve probably heard about the Fast Charge California Project. It sounds great on paper, up to $100,000 per charging port in incentives, with applications opening July 8, 2025.

But here’s what most people miss:

This is not a plug-and-play opportunity.

You don’t just fill out a form and start installing chargers next month. In fact, if you aren’t already preparing now, you may find yourself left out when funding starts moving.

At Charli Charging, we help clients get ahead of the rush, without the stress. Before you apply, here are three things you absolutely need to know.

1. “Ready-to-Build” Isn’t Just a Catchphrase

Fast Charge CA requires more than interest, they want projects that are shovel-ready.

To even qualify for funding, you need:

• Final permits from your local city or county

• Approved utility service design

• A fully scoped, code-compliant installation plan

That means your paperwork has to be in order. Your location has to meet technical specs. And your electrical infrastructure must already be mapped out and approved.

If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. But that’s what we handle for our clients. We don’t just tell you what’s missing, we work behind the scenes to pull it all together.

2. Site Eligibility Depends on More Than Just Location

Yes, Fast Charge CA supports publicly accessible sites like:

• Grocery stores

• Hotels

• Large retail centers

• Gas stations

• Airports

• Colleges

• Medical facilities

But even if your site fits the list, you need to make sure it meets equity and community access standards.

That means:

• Is your site in a designated low-income or disadvantaged area?

• Can the general public access it 24/7?

• Is the site ADA compliant?

These questions impact your eligibility and your ranking in the funding queue. Charli Charging reviews every client site with these standards in mind, so you don’t waste time applying for something you won’t qualify for.

3. First-Come, First-Served Isn’t Just a Warning

Funding opens July 8, and applications will be reviewed in the order they’re received. That means early birds get more than the worm, they get the money.

If you’re still chasing down permits in July, it may already be too late.

Our clients are starting now. We’re helping them:

• Coordinate with local utility providers

• Get zoning and building approvals lined up

• Finalize site plans and charger specs

• Prepare documents for a smooth, fast application

We don’t just manage the process, we own it. So when July hits, our clients are at the front of the line, not scrambling to catch up.

We Handle the Chaos So You Don’t Have To

At Charli Charging, we specialize in taking EV charger projects from idea to install, with zero chaos for the client.

We know the funding rules.
We know the permitting timelines.
We know how to navigate utilities.
And we know how to keep your project on track without putting more on your plate.

If you want to qualify for Fast Charge California funding without dealing with the stress of coordination and compliance...

👉 Schedule your free consultation today to keep your brand can moving forward.