RCEA launches 40% off public EV charging for income-qualified Humboldt residents

Redwood Coast Energy Authority launched a limited-time pilot on February 1 offering a 40% discount on charging at RCEA-owned REVNet public electric vehicle charging stations across Humboldt County. The program aims to make public EV charging more affordable for income-qualified residential customers, with participation capped at approximately 50 drivers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility is specific. Applicants must be income-qualified residential RCEA customers with an active RCEA residential account in good standing, enrolled in CARE, FERA, or another qualifying public assistance program, and must own an electric vehicle registered at the service address on the RCEA account. The discount applies only to RCEA-owned REVNet public chargers and cannot be used for home charging. RCEA says the pilot is intended to extend the benefits of CARE and FERA into transportation electrification and to lower costs for households that rely on public charging.

RCEA is partnering with the nonprofit GRID Alternatives to administer the pilot and related outreach. Mike Avcollie, Senior Infrastructure Programs Manager at RCEA, explained the policy rationale: “This program helps close an important affordability gap for income-qualified EV drivers,” said Mike Avcollie. “Not everyone has access to home charging, and this effort helps ensure more residents can benefit from the cost savings of driving electric.” The partnership and pilot framing reflect a local approach to equitable energy transition, seeking to reduce barriers for residents who cannot install chargers at home.

Residents who want to apply should act quickly given the limited slots. Fill out an application form in English or Spanish. You can drop it off in person or mail it to us at 633 3rd St. in Eureka. You may also email it to ev@redwoodenergy.org. RCEA’s program materials include a Customer Interest Form, Key Documents, and an FAQ to clarify eligibility and submission options. The agency has not published per-kWh or per-session baseline rates, an enrollment deadline, or technical details about how the discount will be applied at the charger.

For context, RCEA also appears in regional incentive listings offering a separate Residential EV Rebate of $2,000 for new or used battery electric vehicles, with a maximum of two rebates per household and one per vehicle. That rebate listing is part of an aggregated incentives page and is not described as part of this discounted charging pilot.

For Humboldt residents, the pilot is a narrow but tangible step toward reducing transportation costs for low-income households as the county moves to electrify travel. Eligible drivers who rely on public chargers should consider applying promptly, and community groups that support renters or low-income households may want to help clients gather proof of enrollment in CARE, FERA, or other qualifying assistance programs. RCEA and GRID Alternatives will be watching uptake and outcomes to determine whether the discount can be expanded beyond the initial pilot.