Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program
CFI is NEVI's competitive sibling: $2.5 billion in discretionary grants for publicly accessible charging in communities and along corridors. Unlike NEVI, applicants compete nationally. As of mid-2026 the program's funding status is genuinely uncertain — we say so plainly rather than pretend otherwise.
Speak To An Expert- Agency
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of Transportation
- Type
- Federal competitive (discretionary) grants
- Funding
- $2.5 billion authorized for FY2022–FY2026 across Community and Corridor tracks
- Status
- Uncertain — disbursements paused and some awards cancelled; active litigation as of mid-2026. Verify current status before relying on CFI funds.
What CFI funds
The CFI program provides competitive grants in two tracks: Community grants for publicly accessible charging and alternative-fuel infrastructure in communities (including Level 2 charging at libraries, schools, parks, and public facilities), and Corridor grants for infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, MPOs, tribes, and territories — often partnering with site hosts and charging providers. The first round of awards was announced in January 2024.
Where the program stands in 2026 — read this before planning around CFI
CFI disbursements were paused under Executive Order 14154 in January 2025, and the pause has extended into 2026. Reports indicate OMB directed DOT to withhold or cancel roughly $135 million in CFI grants. In March 2026, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota amended existing litigation to challenge the withholding and terminations. Recipients with executed grant agreements should confirm their award status directly with FHWA and their state DOT; prospective applicants should not build 2026 project budgets on the assumption of a new CFI round.
This page will be updated as the litigation and program status resolve. Every claim on this site carries a verification date for exactly this reason.
The compliance that comes attached
CFI is Title 23 funding, so funded projects carry the same two regimes as NEVI: Buy America domestic-content requirements for the chargers (under FHWA's 2023 EV charger waiver, with a 2026 modification proposed but not final), and the minimum standards at 23 CFR Part 680, which apply to EV charging infrastructure funded under Title 23 — uptime, payment access, interoperability, and data reporting.
How ZEF Energy fits a CFI project
CFI Community-track projects are a natural fit for ZEF's Made-in-USA Level 2 and DC fast chargers with ZEFNET network management (OCPP 1.6, OCPP 2.0.1, ISO 15118, OpenADR 2.0b, and OCPI 2.2.1) — particularly municipal, county, school, and public-facility sites, which can also purchase through the NASPO ValuePoint cooperative contract without running their own solicitation. ZEF's Buy America position is stated in the compliance section below.
Attached compliance requirements
Buy America & Build America, Buy America (BABA)
Any EV charging project using federal funds: FHWA money (NEVI, CFI, other federal-aid) triggers FHWA Buy America; other federal financial assistance used for infrastructure triggers BABA.
Full requirement →NEVI Minimum Standards (23 CFR Part 680)
EV charging infrastructure funded under the NEVI program or with other Title 23 federal-aid highway funds. Does not attach to EPA or purely state/utility funding.
Full requirement →ZEF resources: ZEF for local government · ZEF solutions for utilities
How this program lands in each state
State pages we've verified so far — each covers this program's status in that state alongside utility money and standing requirements: Colorado · Illinois · Iowa · Maine · Maryland · Minnesota · Washington · Wisconsin
Frequently asked questions
Is CFI accepting new applications in 2026?
As of August 2026, no new round is open and the program's funding is subject to paused disbursements, cancelled awards, and active litigation. Confirm current status with FHWA before planning around CFI.
How is CFI different from NEVI?
NEVI is formula funding that flows automatically to state DOTs; CFI is a national competitive grant program that states, local governments, MPOs, and tribes apply to directly. Both carry the same Title 23 compliance obligations.
My agency holds an executed CFI award. Does the pause affect us?
Possibly — some executed awards were reportedly withheld or cancelled, and that action is being litigated. Confirm your award's status in writing with FHWA before obligating local funds.
Talk through your CFI award
ZEF has helped 80+ utility partners and 200+ cities and agencies fund, buy, and deploy compliant EV charging. Bring us your project and funding questions.
Speak To An Expert Or email solutions@zefenergy.com · call 1-888-493-3638