EV Charging Retrofit Resources
Why Do We Care About Retrofits?
Installing EV charging during construction is by far the least expensive time to do so. It is critical to install the outlet, breaker space, and conduit, and to right-size the transformer at the time of construction, because that is when builders can take advantage of economies of scale and install infrastructure while workers are already on-site and before the ground is covered with concrete and asphalt.
Adding the same infrastructure later as a retrofit is between three and thirty times more expensive. These costs do not disappear. They are shifted onto future residents, affordable housing managers, taxpayers, and ratepayers through publicly funded retrofit programs (see examples below). California has invested hundreds of millions of dollars through state agencies, utilities, and local governments to help retrofit existing multifamily housing with EV charging. These programs help property owners, affordable housing providers, and local governments reduce installation costs by funding infrastructure, charging equipment, technical assistance, and planning.
It is far more fiscally responsible to install basic electrical infrastructure during construction than to use public funds later to reopen walls, trench pavement, and upgrade electrical systems that could have been designed to accommodate EV charging from the beginning.
Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) Programs
Southern California Edison (SCE) Charge Ready 2 Program
SCE’s Charge Ready 2 program helps expand EV charging at multifamily housing, workplaces, and other destinations by funding make-ready electrical infrastructure and EV charging stations. The program includes a $436 million investment to support approximately 37,800 EV chargers, with a strong focus on apartment communities, including enhanced support for disadvantaged communities and affordable housing developments. The pilot launched in 2016, and the extension was approved in 2020.
California’s EV Charging Retrofit Programs for Multifamily Housing (MFH)
The following programs support EV charging retrofits at existing multifamily housing (MFH) through grants, rebates, and technical assistance. California continues to launch new funding opportunities and expand existing programs as it works to increase charging access for apartment residents. Because funding levels, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines change frequently, we recommend confirming the latest program information by visiting individual webpages linked below.
California State Programs
Communities in Charge
Communities in Charge is California’s market-accelerating, light-duty electric vehicle (EV) charging incentive project funded by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, implemented by CALSTART, and supported in partnership with GRID Alternatives and Tetra Tech. The program is designed to transform EV accessibility, rapidly catalyze new markets, and swiftly deploy Level 2 EV charging stations, and targets multifamily property, workplace, public, and fleet charging installations. Communities in Charge has been an active program since 2019, with a fifth funding wave announced in May 2026.
Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) Programs
Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) EV Charger Rebates for Multifamily Properties
SVCE's Multifamily EV Charging Program helps property owners and managers expand EV charging access through technical assistance and financial incentives. Current rebates help cover the cost of charging equipment, electrical upgrades, and installation labor, making it more affordable to retrofit existing multifamily housing with EV charging infrastructure. The program has been active since 2020 and exclusively targets multifamily housing.
Marin Clean Energy (MCE) EV Charging Program for Multifamily and Business Properties
Marin Clean Energy (MCE) provides financial incentives and technical assistance to support EV charging installations at existing apartment and condominium properties. The program helps property owners and HOAs reduce the cost of installing charging infrastructure and expand convenient at-home charging access for residents. MCE’s program has been active since 2024 and targets both multifamily housing and workplaces.
Clean Power SF EV Charging Program
CleanPowerSF supports EV charging installations at existing and new multifamily properties through rebates and optional technical assistance. The program provides up to $120,000 per project to help cover the cost of EV outlets, conduit, charging equipment, and other related electrical infrastructure, making it easier for apartment and condominium communities to expand convenient at-home charging for residents. It’s been active since 2024 and targets both multifamily housing and commercial properties.
Municipal Utility Programs
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) ChargeReady Community
SMUD's Charge Ready Community program helps multifamily housing, workplaces, schools, parks, and other community destinations install Level 2 EV charging infrastructure. The program provides utility support for charging installations, with a focus on expanding charging access in underserved communities, including affordable housing developments, and has been active since 2023.
Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for Multi-family Housing (REACH)
The REACH program provides funding to install EV charging infrastructure at existing multifamily housing, with the goal of developing scalable and replicable models for expanding access to home charging. Eligible projects must benefit residents of disadvantaged or low-income communities, and applicants are encouraged to prioritize affordable housing developments. The first wave of funding became available in 2021, with the latest round of the program, REACH 3.0, concluding in April 2025.
San Jose Clean Energy (SJCE) Multifamily Electric Vehicle Charger Assistance Program
San José Clean Energy (SJCE) provides grants and rebates to support EV charging installations at existing multifamily properties. The program offers enhanced incentives for affordable housing projects, helping property owners reduce retrofit costs and expand access to convenient at-home charging for residents. SJCE’s program has been active since 2024 and exclusively targets multifamily housing.
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) EV Ready
Peninsula Clean Energy's EV Ready Program provides incentives to help install EV charging at existing multifamily properties, workplaces, and public locations. The program supports Level 1, Level 2, and make-ready infrastructure, and also offers free technical assistance to help customers design cost-effective charging projects. PCE’s program has been active since 2020 and targets multifamily housing, workplaces, and public charging.
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) Electrify Your Ride
The Electrify Your Ride program provides rebates and technical assistance to help multifamily properties install EV charging infrastructure. The program offers up to $20,000 per multifamily project for Level 2 chargers, along with rebates for necessary electrical upgrades. It’s been active since 2017 and broadly funds charger installations at multifamily housing, commercial, and public spaces, as well as providing incentives for EV adoption.
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) Multifamily Residential and Commercial EV Charging Station Incentive Program
Silicon Valley Power's (SVP) Multifamily EV Charging Program provides rebates of up to $150,000 per property to support Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging installations. The program targets multifamily and commercial properties and has been active since 2023. It remains temporarily on hold as of July 1, 2026, until more funding becomes available.
San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) Power Your Drive Pilot and Extension
SDG&E's Power Your Drive program provides funding to install Level 2 EV chargers at multifamily housing and other locations serving apartment residents. Authorized at $43.5 million, the program supports the deployment of at least 2,000 chargers, helping expand access to reliable at-home charging throughout the SDG&E service territory. The pilot began in 2016, and the extension launched in 2022.
City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) EV Charging Infrastructure Incentive Program
City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) provides rebates of up to $80,000 per multifamily property to support EV charging installations. Affordable housing projects may qualify for incentives covering up to 100% of installation costs, and additional rebates are available for transformer upgrades. The program exclusively targets MFH and has been active since 2023.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) EV Charge Pilot and Extension
PG&E’s EV Charge 2 program supports the installation of EV charging at multifamily housing, workplaces, and public destinations. Authorized at $52.2 million, the program funds approximately 2,822 Level 2 and DC fast charging ports, helping expand charging access and reduce the cost of EV charging infrastructure in the PG&E service area. The pilot launched in 2016, and the extension was approved in 2023.
Retrofit Photo Library
