NEVI Funding Resumes: What It Means for EV Infrastructure in California and How ZIS Can Help

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is officially back in motion. On August 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued Interim Final Guidance, lifting the freeze on $5 billion in federal funding for EV charging infrastructure.

This restart comes after months of uncertainty. The program was paused earlier this year and later compelled to resume following a Government Accountability Office ruling and a federal court injunction. States now have 30 days to re-submit their NEVI plans under the streamlined guidance, which means solicitations for new projects will begin moving quickly.

What Changed in the New Guidance

NEVI’s technical requirements remain the same, including 150 kW minimum per port, 97 percent uptime, open payment systems, and federal Buy America compliance. Several federal planning requirements have been reduced. States now have more flexibility in how they define fully built-out corridors and in certain site selection processes.

The result is a faster moving pipeline of opportunities with less federal red tape but the same high bar for charger performance and installation quality.

Why This Matters for California

California is a NEVI leader with a strong commitment to corridor buildout and a growing focus on off corridor charging in urban and fleet applications. With the freeze lifted, Caltrans and other agencies are expected to move quickly to approve updated plans and re launch solicitations.

Where ZIS Comes In

Zero Impact Solutions (ZIS), a subsidiary of Zero Impact Energy (ZIE), is a licensed C-10 turnkey EPC provider specializing in EV charging infrastructure. Our team manages every stage of NEVI funded projects:

• Site evaluation and host agreements to help property owners secure the 20 percent non federal match
• Engineering and permitting in compliance with NEVI technical and regulatory requirements
• Construction and commissioning using in house C-10 crews and trusted subcontractors
• Ongoing operations and maintenance to ensure uptime requirements are met year after year

With the Nevi program's restart, ZIS is ready to help site hosts, fleets, and public agencies capture funding and deploy charging infrastructure that meets federal standards and delivers long term value.

Ready to Get Started?

If you operate a property along an Alternative Fuel Corridor or have a location that could qualify under California's NEVI program, now is the time to prepare. Opportunities will move quickly, and the best prepared projects will get to construction first.

Contact ZIS today to explore your eligibility, secure your match funding, and build a NEVI compliant charging site that is ready for the future.