Rebates
EV Charging Rebates & Incentives
Between ambitious green goals and utility initiatives, businesses throughout California can often offset the majority of project costs. Energy Smart Group specializes in identifying and securing rebates and incentives to keep your installation cost-effective. We will evaluate your address to see what federal, state, and utility rebates your property qualifies for. We manage the entire application process, navigating the red tape and tight windows on your behalf. By leveraging rebates, you can cut upfront investment, thereby boosting your ROI. Let ESG do the homework for you so you don't miss critical deadlines and key opportunities.
Key Types of Financial Incentives
In California, some projects qualify for a combination of the incentives described below, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Utility "Make-Ready" Programs
Utilities like SoCal Edison, LADWP, and SDG&E often offer "make-ready" incentives. Some of the incentives offer thousands of dollars per charging port and cover the cost of the electrical infrastructure if specific labor requirements are met.
Pro tip: Extra incentives are often available for sites located in "Disadvantaged Communities" (DACs).
Federal Tax Credits (30C)
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, businesses in eligible census tracts can claim a tax credit of 30% (capped at $100,000) of the depreciable costs of hardware and installation.
Pro tip: Federal tax credits can be stacked with state, local, and utility-based rebates to lower net costs.
Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Credits
A "recurring rebate" unique to California, providing clean energy to vehicles earns your property carbon credits that can be sold on the open market, creating an ongoing stream of passive revenue.
Pro tip: Prompt CARB registration is critical, as credits are generated from the date of operational reporting.
State & Local Rebates
These programs provide direct "per-port" cash back for the hardware itself. Depending on your location and industry, these rebates can often cover 50% to 100% of the equipment costs.
Pro tip: These funds are often released in "windows" and disappear in days. We track these cycles so you don't miss out.
IRS Section 179 Accelerated Depreciation
This tax deduction allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying EV charging equipment in the tax year it is placed in service, rather than depreciating the cost over several years.
Pro tip: This can be a massive year-end tax benefit that can accelerate your return on investment.
Fast Charging Infrastructure (FCI) Credits
Part of the LCFS program, FCI credits are based on the total power capacity of your DC Fast Chargers rather than just the energy dispensed, providing revenue even during low-utilization periods.
Pro tip: Early revenue is based on capacity, offsetting low initial usage while your driver base grows.
Rebate Success Stories
The biggest barrier to getting a rebate isn't eligibility, it’s the complexity of the paperwork. Take a quick peek of just a few of our clients that we have successfully gotten a rebate for:
Local-owned Hospitality Franchisee
City: Glendale, CA
Amount of rebate: $59,688
Source of rebate: Utility Company
Public-owned City Government
City: City of Commerce, CA
Amount of rebate: $119,000
Source of rebate: State of California
Local-owned Multifamily Property
City: Beverly Hills, CA
Amount of rebate: $34,000
Source of rebate: State of California
Commercial Property
City: Torrance, CA
Amount of rebate: $40,000
Source of rebate: Utility Company
Our Turnkey Incentive Management
The biggest barrier to getting a rebate isn't eligibility, it’s the complexity of the paperwork. We provide a full-service approach to ensure you don't leave money on the table:
Eligibility Audit
We identify every available dollar for your specific zip code and industry to build a custom funding stack.
Engineering Compliance
We ensure your site design and equipment meet the specific technical standards and hardware requirements often mandated by rebate programs.
Application Management
We handle the technical documentation and filing requirements from start to finish so you don't have to.
Utility Coordination
After installation, we work directly with program administrators to facilitate mandatory inspections, final cost verification, and timely fund disbursement.
Stop leaving money on the table.
Rebates and incentives are often first-come, first-served and can be exhausted quickly.
Navigating the "alphabet soup" of government and utility programs can be exhausting.
Contact us today for a complimentary personalized consultation, and discover how seamless and beneficial integrating EV charging stations can be for your property.
