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Frequently Asked Questions about Oregon Zero-Emission Fueling Infrastructure Grants

When will the grant program open for applications and how long will I have to apply?

The current funding round for OZEF opens on Sept. 9, 2026, at 9 a.m. (PDT). Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Applicants are encouraged to submit complete proposals as soon as possible for consideration, since limited funds are available this round. 

We are specifically looking at the number of physical chargers, not the number of ports. If a single charger has more than one port, that is great! Awards are limited to 80% of total eligible project costs, up to $249,000 for two DCFC chargers, or up to $137,000 for a single DCFC charger. We are not limiting the number of chargers in a project, only the award amount based on the physical DCFCs involved. A project with three DCFCs is still limited to the $249,000 maximum request. Additionally, hydrogen cell-based charging infrastructure is not eligible.​​​

Yes. Please email dieselgrants@deq.oregon.gov to request application assistance.​​​

All applicants will be emailed information on award decisions within a month of submitting a project application. Public announcement of awarded projects will go out by the end of the year.​​​

Projects selected for funding awards must have agreements signed by both DEQ and a designated representative with signing authority from the awardee business or organization. DEQ Procurement manages the agreement contracting process and will send a “Notice to Proceed" email. Awardees may start incurring eligible expenses for reimbursement after the “Notice to Proceed" email has been sent.​​​

All projects must have submitted plans and timelines and be completed by July 31, 2028. Projects extending beyond the agreement completion date due to unforeseen circumstances will be able to request reimbursement after that date on a case-by-case basis. From previous projects, DEQ has found advance communication with the site's utility is key for applications to get accurate timeline estimates and awareness of any supply chain bottlenecks. ​​​

Yes, this is the ideal scenario for the types of projects DEQ would like to fund.​​​

DEQ is implementing the Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action program, which is a $197 million federal grant to reduce Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions, and deliver secondary benefits like lower utility costs, more housing production, and improved health outcomes. The grant was awarded in October 2024 and funds are actively available. In the unlikely event the federal government freezes or terminates the grant, DEQ will not be able to process outstanding or new funds from the grant. In this case, DEQ would advocate for expenses already incurred. DEQ will alert its subgrantees and recipients immediately if the grant is frozen.​​​

No, only capital improvement projects will be considered for this application funding period.​​​

OZEF Grant Program Contact

For additional questions, please contact Tracie Weitzman at dieselgrants@deq.oregon.gov