Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Zero Emission School Bus Grant Program and Study

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) administers a Zero Emission School Bus Transition Grant Program to purchase zero emission school buses, install charging infrastructure, and transition to zero emission school bus fleets. MDE and the Maryland Department of Transportation also provide technical assistance to county boards of education transitioning school buses to zero emission vehicles throughout the state.

(Reference Maryland Statutes, Environmental Code 2-1501 and 2-1503)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Grants

The Clean Fuels Incentive Program (CFIP), administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), provides grants to fleets for the retrofit or purchase of new AFVs. Grant award amounts vary and may cover up to 100% of the incremental AFV cost. Grants are available in the following amounts:

Eligible applicants must be a fleet vehicle operator or purchaser and may include school districts, nonprofits, commercial entities, corporations, and local and municipal governments. AFVs purchased for individual or personal use are ineligible. Vehicles receiving funding from other state programs are ineligible. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with equity and environmental justice considerations as part of the evaluation criteria. For more information, including additional eligibility criteria, see MEA’s CFIP Program website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Workplace Charging Grant

The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) offers grants for the installation of EV charging stations at workplaces through the Charge Ahead Grant Program (CAGP). Grants are available for up to $4,500 per Level 2 EV charger and $600,000 per applicant. CAGP funding is available for costs directly attributable to the design, installation, and operation of eligible workplace EV charging stations. Eligible entities include non-profits, private companies, and government agencies. The program is funded by Maryland’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidance and application, see the MDE Volkswagen Settlement website.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Corridor Charging Grant

The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) offers grants of up to 80% of the cost for the installation of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations along Federal Highway Administration designated alternative fuel corridors through the Electric Corridors Grant Program (ECGP). ECPG funding is available for up to $150,000 per DCFC station and $600,000 per applicant. Eligible entities include non-profits and private businesses. Grant awards vary based on total kilowatts per charging port. The program is funded by Maryland’s portion of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including program guidance and application, see the MDE’s Volkswagen Settlement website.

Solar Canopy Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Grant

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers grants of up to $125,000 for the planning and installation of solar arrays on existing public facilities and infrastructure. Eligible projects include solar canopies that support EVSE. For more information, see the MEA Public Facility Solar Grant Program website.

Clean Energy Grants

The Maryland Smart Energy Communities (MSEC) program, administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), offers local governments grants for transportation-related projects, including the purchase of new electric vehicles (EVs) or alternative fuel vehicles and the installation of EV charging stations. Grants are available in the following amounts:

Communities already participating in the MSEC program may receive a maximum award of $55,000 per project and new communities may receive up to $75,000. Additional requirements may apply. For more information, including requirements and application deadline, see the MEA MSEC website.

Maryland’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Planning

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) NEVI Formula Program requires the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan (Plan) to the DOT and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Office by August 1, 2022, describing how the state intends to distribute NEVI funds. Plans must be established according to NEVI guidance.

For more information about Maryland’s NEVI planning process, see the MDOT Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan website. For more information about Maryland’s NEVI plan, see the Joint Office’s State Plans for EV Charging website.