EV Charging in California: What Property Owners Need to Know About Fast Chargers, Funding, and Air Quality

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is expanding rapidly across California and the U.S. The state continues to lead in EV registrations, and new federal and state funding streams are accelerating the buildout of public fast chargers along highways, in cities, and at destinations. For property owners, site hosts, fleet operators, and multifamily building managers, the choices you make now about charger type, electrical infrastructure, and siting will affect costs, permitting timelines, tenant satisfaction, and long-term value.

Why fast chargers matter — and what’s changing in funding

Fast chargers (DC fast chargers) provide a high-speed charging option that enables road trips, commercial charging, and rapid turnaround for fleets. Federal programs such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program provide billions to expand charging on highway corridors and in other strategic locations. Recent federal guidance revisions have unblocked previously paused NEVI funds and given states flexibility on implementation, creating a surge in available capital and a renewed focus on getting chargers installed quickly and reliably (U.S. Department of Transportation guidance reported by Smart Cities Dive).

At the state level, California just launched a new $55 million incentive called the Fast Charge California Project to expand public and business fast-charging infrastructure. Eligible sites can receive significant per-charger incentives, with priority for tribal, disadvantaged, and low-income communities. That kind of funding can reduce upfront costs and make otherwise marginal sites viable for hosts and developers (source: Center for Sustainable Energy / Fast Charge California reported by CBT News).

Sources: Smart Cities Dive – NEVI guidance, CBT News – Fast Charge California.

What property owners should consider before deciding to install fast chargers

Installing fast chargers is more than ordering equipment and plugging it in. Thoughtful planning reduces delays, lowers costs, and ensures chargers deliver value to users and hosts. Key considerations include:

Electrical service and upgrades: Fast chargers draw substantial power and may require utility service upgrades, new transformers, or distribution improvements. Early utility engagement helps you size equipment and estimate upgrade costs.

Site selection and parking layout: Charger placement affects user flow, safety, ADA access, and potential landlord/tenant conflicts. Consider canopy coverage, cable management, lighting, and signage to protect equipment and make the station easy to use.

Permits and interconnection: Municipal permits and utility interconnection approval times vary. Start permitting early and use contractors experienced with local jurisdictions to avoid common delays.

Business model and revenue: Decide whether chargers will be free to users, paid by session or time, part of a subscription, or used for managed fleet charging. Payment gateways, network management, and demand charges factor into revenue modeling.

Maintenance and uptime: Public fast chargers must be reliable. Plan for operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts or in-house services to minimize downtime and customer complaints.

Air quality and public health considerations around fast chargers

EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions, however, all vehicles produce particulate matter from tire and brake wear. Recent studies show that DC fast chargers can stir up fine particles as cooling fans activate during charging, especially at fast-charging hubs where multiple vehicles and equipment fans operate simultaneously. This creates a localized increase in fine particulate matter that site planners should be aware of—particularly when chargers are sited near building air intakes, outdoor seating, or other areas where people congregate (InsideEVs reported on particle measurements around fast chargers).

Mitigation strategies include well-ventilated siting, distancing fast chargers from building fresh-air intakes, using landscaping and barriers to control dust, and avoiding placing charging stalls directly adjacent to outdoor dining or playgrounds. For covered or enclosed charging facilities, active ventilation and filtration can reduce particulate concentrations in the user area.

Source: InsideEVs – EV fast charger particle pollution.

How incentives and programs can lower your costs

Federal, state, and local incentives significantly lower upfront costs and help improve return on investment. NEVI funding focuses on corridor charging and has historically been paired with state-administered programs that fund publicly accessible stations. California’s Fast Charge California Project offers per-charger incentives up to certain amounts, with special emphasis on locations that improve equity and access.

Other state grants fund workplace, multifamily, and heavy-duty charging projects. Massachusetts, for example, has allocated targeted funding for workplace and medium/heavy-duty charging hubs—showing that many states are tailoring funds to local needs. These programs can cover part of equipment, design, and installation costs; be sure to read eligibility rules and priority criteria for disadvantaged communities and specific corridor designations (see reporting on Massachusetts funding and national forecasts).

Sources: Wood Mackenzie / EV Infrastructure News, CBT News – Fast Charge California.

Planning timeline and realistic schedules

Typical project timelines range from a few months for straightforward Level 2 installations up to 6–12 months (or longer) for DC fast charging that requires utility upgrades, trenching, and significant electrical work. Major schedule drivers include:

Utility interconnection agreements and transformer delivery

Local permit review cycles and inspection availability

Supply chain for chargers, electrical gear, and civil materials

Site civil work, trenching, and paving

Wayfinding signage and ADA compliance work

Starting utility coordination and permitting at the earliest possible stage, and working with an experienced electrical contractor, is the single most effective way to shorten project timelines. Contractors familiar with NEVI and California programs can also help package grant applications to maximize funding received.

Design best practices to reduce long-term operating costs

Long-term operating costs are driven by energy procurement, demand charges, maintenance, and software/network costs. Consider these design choices to reduce lifetime costs:

On-site energy management: Smart energy management systems can reduce peak demand and lower utility demand charges. Load management between chargers can allow multiple stalls while capping total site power draw.

Energy storage and solar pairing: Batteries paired with solar can shave demand peaks and reduce grid upgrade needs. That can make otherwise costly installations more feasible.

Modular designs: Future-proof your site by laying conduit and space for additional chargers. It’s cheaper to prepare for growth during initial construction than to retrofit later.

Validated O&M plans: Contracts with guaranteed response times and spare parts inventory improve uptime and customer satisfaction.

Source: market and industry outlooks from Wood Mackenzie and EV infrastructure analysts show the scale of investment and the payoff for robust O&M and scalable site design: Wood Mackenzie / EV Infrastructure News.

Equity and community considerations

Funding programs increasingly prioritize equity — prioritizing tribal lands, low-income communities, and underserved rural corridors. For property owners serving multifamily residents, transit hubs, or community centers, aligning proposals with equity goals improves chances for incentives and community support. Think beyond vehicle owners: provide accessible pedestrian routes, clear signage in multiple languages, and consider reduced-price charging plans for low-income residents.

Case studies of rural tourism hubs (for example, Middleburg, Virginia) demonstrate how fast chargers can support local economies by attracting visitors, but those sites must be integrated with local planning goals so they benefit the entire community (reported by Canary Media).

Source: Canary Media – EV tourism and rural charging.

Practical next steps for property owners and site hosts

Assess demand: Survey tenants, customers, or employees to understand likely charging patterns and preferred charger speeds.

Engage the utility: Request an electrical service capacity check and early cost estimate for any required upgrades.

Explore funding: Research state and local incentives (for California, start with the Fast Charge California Project) and NEVI opportunities for corridor projects.

Hire experienced professionals: Work with electrical contractors and civil engineers who know local permit processes and typical utility timelines.

Plan for growth: Install extra conduit and space to expand stalls later with minimal disruption.

Why work with an experienced local electrical contractor?

Electrical contractors who specialize in EV infrastructure bring practical experience that translates into faster permitting, better utility coordination, and fewer costly surprises during construction. They can also advise on optimal charger selections, load management strategies, and O&M plans that protect uptime and revenue. With NEVI and state programs evolving, contractors experienced with grant applications and program compliance can help capture available incentives.

At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we have real-world experience designing and installing EV chargers and the supporting electrical infrastructure across Los Angeles and throughout California. We help property owners evaluate site feasibility, coordinate with utilities, apply for incentives, and build charger sites that are safe, reliable, and scalable.

Resources and further reading

Smart Cities Dive — DOT revives NEVI guidance and funding

CBT News — California launches $55M Fast Charge California

InsideEVs — Study on particle emissions around DC fast chargers

EV Infrastructure News / Wood Mackenzie — Market outlook for chargers

Canary Media — Rural charging and destination tourism case

Contact Shaffer Construction to get started

If you’re considering EV charging for your property, we can help with feasibility studies, utility coordination, permitting, equipment selection, and full installation. Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. for a consultation:

Website: www.shaffercon.com

Phone: 323-642-8509

Email: hello@shaffercon.com

Address: 325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Installing EV chargers is a long-term investment in property value, tenant convenience, and community access. With rapidly changing funding streams and evolving best practices for design and air-quality considerations, early planning pays off. If you’d like an on-site evaluation or help applying for incentives, reach out — we’ll help you build a reliable, compliant charging solution that meets your goals.