Starting May 1, community associations in Fairfax County interested in installing electric vehicle charging stations for their residents will be able to apply for technical assistance and partial reimbursement through the Charge Up Fairfax program.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are better for the environment and less expensive to fuel and maintain than gas-powered vehicles. The convenience of at-home charging makes EV ownership more practical, but that can be a barrier for residents of community associations who may not have access to power near their parking space.

“Encouraging the use of EVs— which are better for the environment than conventional cars — is an important step toward achieving the county’s goal of community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050,” said John Morrill, director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, which manages the Charge Up Fairfax program. “Providing more people with convenient and accessible charging options at home makes EV ownership an easier choice.”

Charge Up Fairfax helps community associations —including HOAs, condominiums, clusters, and co-ops —overcome those barriers by providing both technical assistance and financial support. Communities that are accepted into the program will receive a site visit and assessment from an engineering firm, paid for by the county. If the community association decides to proceed with the purchase and installation of Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, they’ll hire a contractor to perform the necessary permitting, electrical upgrades, installation of equipment and final inspection.

Following installation, communities participating in the program can receive a reimbursement grant to cover one-third of eligible expenses. A new grant-only option is available to community associations who are ready to install charging stations but need financial support. Communities in certain equity designated areas may be eligible for up to $12,000 in some cases. 

Beginning in 2023, OEEC worked with 10 pilot program communities to ensure the Charge Up Fairfax program was designed to meet their needs. Pilot communities are contacting contractors and coordinating with OEEC to prepare for the installation of EV charging stations. 

Up to 8 community associations will be accepted into the program during this application period, which runs from May 1 through June 30. Another application period will open in the fall. 

Communities can prepare to apply now by surveying residents, identifying charging locations, and reviewing governing documents and funding options.
 
OEEC will host a webinar on May 3 at 3 p.m. to address questions about the program and how to apply. Register now at https://bit.ly/ChargeUpWebinar2024.