San Francisco wins $15 million grant to meet growing demand for EV charging throughout city

SAN FRANCISCO - The City and County of San Francisco has been awarded $15 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's highly competitive Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program to boost the city's publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging. The San Francisco Environment Department (SFE), in partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the Port of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), developed the winning proposal, which will dramatically expand the city's current number of total charging ports by 30% in garages, in lots, and at curbside locations. This is only the latest of several grants that SFE has secured for EVs and electric micromobility devices (e.g., e-bikes) to advance electrification and charging infrastructure in the city.

"I am proud of the efforts our departments are making together to bring critical funds into the city," said Mayor Lurie. "These are the kinds of proactive collaborations the city will continue to undertake to provide efficient and effective transportation, leverage infrastructure projects to boost economic growth, and keep the city on track to meet our robust climate goals."

The project will add 270 Level 2 chargers and 30 DC fast chargers in neighborhoods such as Civic Center, Western Addition, Chinatown, Mission, Treasure Island, Bayview Hunters Point, Richmond, Sunset, and others. The addition of 30 DC fast chargers will be a welcome increase to the growing EV driver community in San Francisco who need convenient fast rapid charging stations throughout the city. Most of the new Level 2 chargers will be installed with a "dig once" approach to prepare the locations for future charging expansion as needed, which could include charging for EVs, e-bikes, e-scooters, and other e-micromobility residents commonly used to navigate our hilly city.

"The grant award marks a pivotal step forward for the adoption of electric vehicles in San Francisco," said Environment Department Director Tyrone Jue. "The collaboration is a testament to our shared climate vision of becoming net-zero emissions by 2040. By focusing on becoming the all-electric city of the future, we create an environment where everyone can enjoy cleaner air, economic growth, and green job opportunities."

While all potential locations will expand EV charging access to neighborhoods that have yet to secure enough convenient and affordable charging to meet demand, the majority of DC fast and L2 chargers will be installed in downtown city-owned garages and lots. Depending on the type of vehicle, DC Fast (also known as Level 3) can charge a car in less than an hour, while L2 can charge a vehicle in 2-6 hours. Providing drivers with both charging options in the city's economic core will support downtown revitalization efforts, enabling residents and visitors to shop, eat, run errands, or tour these neighborhoods while their vehicles charge.

"Expanding EV charging access is one of the fastest ways we can reduce emissions from the transportation sector," said SFMTA Acting Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum. "Clean, electric transportation provides better air to all communities, especially benefiting vulnerable groups. The SFMTA is committed to ensuring that charging infrastructure for EVs is available and convenient for all San Francisco residents, businesses and visitors."

"We applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation's support for this critical infrastructure," said Port of San Francisco Executive Director Elaine Forbes. "These funds help advance the Port's ongoing environmental stewardship to limit climate change and protect the Bay."

The City and County of San Francisco's Climate Action Plan outlines a goal to electrify 100% of vehicles in the city by 2040. In 2023, 37% of all vehicle sales in San Francisco were zero emission, and according to the California Energy Commission, the city will likely reach or exceed this level in 2024. The funding the city will receive from DOT is critical to ensuring that its infrastructure can both keep up with current charging demands as well as encourage continued growth of EV adoption. Two vendors, EVgo and Connected Kerb, were competitively selected to participate in the proposal and will install the DC fast and Level 2 chargers, respectively. These vendors are committed to convenient and affordable pricing and payment models, charging safety and reliability, and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in and near disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

Since 2024, SFE has secured eight state and federal grants totaling nearly $50 million for vehicle charging, community engagement and education, resident electrification support and incentive programs, large residential and commercial building decarbonization, and more.