Call for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Charging & Hydrogen Fueling Project Concepts
Caltrans invited interested providers of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling services to submit project concepts for consideration for nomination to the California Transportation Commission’s Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP). Caltrans sought project concepts from parties that would otherwise be unable to apply for TCEP without the support and nomination from public agencies. The submission period for project concepts closed on July 10.
The Department's call for project concepts was a huge success. The call collected 31 project concept submissions totaling $689 million dollars in TCEP funds requested. Thank you to all that participated.
Download Guide Download Questions Concepts and Nominations
1. Will this call for projects be submitted to the California Transportation Commission's 2024 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program?
Yes, this call for project concepts is for consideration in Caltrans' submission of projects to the California Transportation Commission's (CTC) Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP). Submission of a project concept is the initial step for entities that wish to engage with Caltrans for potential nomination to the CTC's competitive grant funding opportunity for medium- and heavy-duty charging and hydrogen fueling projects through TCEP. Caltrans is searching for zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure projects to nominate to TCEP that would otherwise be unavailable to parties without the support and nomination from a public agency.
2. Can project concepts only score "Highly Qualified" if 50% cash cost share is offered?
A "Highly Qualified" project in the budgets category of the evaluation criteria demonstrates all of the following: (1) Project budget does not exceed $30 million in TCEP funding; (2) Private cost match of at least 50%; and (3) Project ranks in the top half of project concepts received for the total TCEP funding request cost per kW installed or kg H2 installed.
3. Will projects receiving score of "recommend" be considered for nomination?
Yes, all project concept ratings will be presented to Caltrans executive leadership and considered as part of the Department's process for nominating projects to TCEP.
4. The draft 2024 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Guidelines indicate that there is no matching funds requirement for Caltrans projects. Why is Caltrans requesting private matching funds for zero-emission vehicle projects?
Unlike traditional highway projects, charging and hydrogen fueling projects may be owned and operated by private entities with the ability to generate revenue. A private cost match ensures companies are invested in projects and capitalized for successful project delivery. Caltrans is committed to achieving maximum public benefits through public funds. Please see the CTC's 2022 TCEP application receipt log (PDF) for examples of zero-emission vehicle projects that include private match.
5. Would Caltrans consider making State highway rights of way available as a component of a proposed project? If yes, how should this be described in the project concept in terms of site control and timing of environmental approvals? And could infrastructure on State rights of way be considered in the project cost?
An encroachment permit from Caltrans must be obtained for all proposed activities related to the placement of encroachments within, under, or over the State highway rights of way. Section 671.5 (a) of the California Streets and Highways Code requires that Caltrans either approves or denies an Encroachment Permit Application within 60 calendar days of determination that the submittal is complete. This section grants Caltrans the authority in what constitutes a completed Encroachment Permit Application submittal. It also stipulates that an Encroachment Permit Application submittal is complete when all statutory requirements including but not limited to Storm Water, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have been complied with. The actual time needed to review and approve an Encroachment Permit Application will depend on the completeness of the submittal and the complexity of the proposed work.
The CTC requires environmental clearance to be certified within six months of program adoption. Environmental certification timelines, including the time needed for an approved encroachment permit should be considered for proposed project concepts.
Site control is an important factor in the readiness of a project concept. Project concepts should provide the most accurate estimate possible for all project costs. The final project budgets will be discussed between Caltrans and respondents if a project is selected for nomination to TCEP.
6. Do Federal Buy America Build America provisions apply to projects funded under TCEP?
If the project is on State highway rights of way, the project would need to follow Buy America Build America provisions. If the project is off State highway rights of way, Buy America Build America provisions only applies if federal funding is used on the project. TCEP is a mix of State (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017) and Federal (National Highway Freight Program) funds. For the purposes of project concept development, respondents can assume that projects will only be programmed with state funds. The final project budgets will be discussed between Caltrans and respondents if a project is selected for nomination to TCEP.