September 16, 2025
Guide to Make-Ready Programs and EV Infrastructure Rebates and Incentives
7 Min. Read
- Make-ready programs for commercial EV charging are designed to reduce the upfront costs of installing charging stations by covering expenses related to electrical infrastructure upgrades.
- These programs typically fund customer-side electrical infrastructure but exclude the cost of the EV chargers themselves, their maintenance, or software.
- Items that are commonly eligible for make-ready rebates include on-site electrical components like service panels, junction boxes, conduits, wiring, and trenching needed to connect the charging station to the building’s infrastructure.
Commercial electrification projects, providing EV charging for customers, employees, or fleet, often times require electrical upgrades.
Installing electrical infrastructure that can power multiple EV charging stations and accommodate additional chargers in the future comes with a cost. While many rebates and tax credits target EV chargers, make-ready rebates help you save on things, conduit work, or trenching to make these upgrades possible.
Let’s examine make-ready programs and how to use them for your commercial EV charging project.
What is a make-ready incentive program for EV charging?
Make-ready programs are typically rebates or grants that award you cash to help pay for electrical upgrades needed to install EV charging stations. These programs may fund both utility-side (grid-side) and customer-side infrastructure but exclude the cost of the EV chargers themselves, their maintenance, or software.
The scope of what’s covered varies from program to program. Typically, you can use these incentives toward the costs of replacing an electrical panel, installing a new 240V circuit, or other related costs at your place of business.
What’s the difference between make-ready incentives and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) incentives?
The main difference is that EVSE incentives help you save on Level 2 or DC fast chargers, while make-ready incentives help you cover electric infrastructure costs so that you can do a few upgrades to power the charging stations.
Who qualifies for EV make-ready programs?
It depends on the program and its unique requirements. If a program is open to commercial entities, including retail, hospitality, office buildings, and EV fleet charging projects, all businesses can typically apply. Some incentives are also available for multifamily properties.
Make-ready programs often prioritize projects in disadvantaged communities (DACs) or those meeting specific criteria, such as public accessibility or participation in other electrification incentive programs.
For example, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers make-ready incentives for EV charging infrastructure through its Up & Go Electric programs, specifically for multifamily properties, workplaces, and fleets. These programs cover costs associated with preparing sites for EV charger installation, such as utility-side and customer-side electrical infrastructure upgrades.
PSE provides enhanced incentives for projects serving disadvantaged communities (DACs), referred to as “highly impacted communities and vulnerable populations” in their programs, to promote equitable access to EV charging. Through their Empower Mobility incentives for low-income and Tribal housing providers, PSE fully covers line extension costs for customers who need a new transformer to accommodate charger installation.
Always check with the specific utility for eligibility requirements, as programs may have unique criteria, such as minimum charger quantities or compliance with standards like ENERGY STAR or Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).
What commercial electrical upgrades do I need before installing EV chargers?
It depends on your current infrastructure and the scope of your EV charging project. A relatively new property can usually handle a single Level 2 charger with minimal infrastructure upgrades. Still, you might need to replace your old panel with a high-capacity one to handle multiple chargers, replace old wiring if there are safety concerns, or invest in load management technologies to scale your EV charging infrastructure.
And some DCFC projects may require installing step-down transformers or upgrading overhead service lines to accommodate the increased electrical load for high-powered EV charging.
What electrical upgrades are covered by make-ready rebates?
Some programs cover all the upgrades needed to install EV charging stations, while others might only cover the wiring and trenching part required for your commercial EV charging installation.
Types of Items Covered Under Make-Ready Programs
Make-ready programs typically cover the costs associated with preparing a site for EV charger installation, including:
- Customer-Side Infrastructure: This includes on-site electrical components like service panels, junction boxes, conduits, wiring, and trenching needed to connect the charging station to the building’s infrastructure, making the site “plug-and-play” for charger installation.
- Site Assessments and Design: Some programs cover costs for site feasibility studies, load capacity analyses, and engineering designs to ensure the site can support EV charging without significant grid upgrades.
- Permitting and Inspection Costs: In some cases, programs may cover costs related to obtaining necessary permits or inspections required for infrastructure upgrades.
Items typically not covered include the EV chargers themselves, charger pedestals, ongoing maintenance, software subscriptions, or operational costs like electricity usage.
What’s the difference between customer-side and utility-side electrical work?
Customer-side electrical work refers to upgrades to your property, such as your electrical panel, circuits, and wiring. Utility-side electrical work is any upgrade that needs to happen before the meter, such as replacing an old transformer or updating your local substation.
Do make-ready incentives cover utility-side electrical upgrades?
In most cases, EV make-ready rebates won’t cover upgrades before the meter. When planning your EV charging project, contact your utility as early as possible to discuss potential utility-side updates and who would pay for them.
How do I find make-ready incentives in my area?
Your best option is to contact your electricity provider to learn more about commercial rebates. You can also look for EV rebates and incentives available in your state.
Are there federal make-ready incentives for EV charging?
There are no upfront rebates for EV-related electrical upgrades at the federal level. Still, depending on where your business is located, you might be able to claim the 30C tax credit. This incentive covers your EV charger and associated items like pedestals, conduits, and wiring.
Can I stack make-ready incentives with other EV charging rebates?
Yes, you can combine make-ready incentives with other EV charging rebates and tax credits designed to help you save on chargers or EV purchases.
Which states offer EV make-ready incentives for businesses?
New Mexico’s Sustainable Building Tax Credit allows businesses to claim a tax credit worth up to $1,000. At the utility level, NYSEG has a program available to some NYC communities, and several California power companies have state-funded make-ready incentives.
How do I apply for a make-ready program?
The state or utility offering the incentive will typically ask you to submit a plan for your EV charging project, an estimated budget, and a quote from a licensed EV installer.
What’s the typical timeline for receiving make-ready funding?
It depends on the program, but it can take a few months to receive funding since the entity behind the program will have to review your project. Sometimes, you won’t get the funds until you can submit proof that the work is completed.
Can I apply for make-ready rebates before installing EV chargers?
Yes, you should explore the incentives and secure funding before installing EV chargers. If you’ve already invested in EV charging stations, some make-ready incentives allow you to claim funds afterward by submitting proof of the work completed.
Do I need to use a specific contractor for make-ready work?
Check with your utility as some require the use of pre-approved installers. Regardless of the incentives you claim, you should hire a licensed and insured EV installer. Some states have additional requirements, such as an EVITP certification.
What is an electrical site assessment for EV charging?
Before looking into incentives, you should have an EV installer inspect your place of business and determine what kind of electrical upgrades you might need, generally called a site assessment. The installer will discuss your proposed project with you including location and number of chargers you plan to install. They will inspect your electrical infrastructure and make recommendations based on what they find.
Site assessments are the best way to get an accurate quote for the work you want to have done and may be required to apply for incentives.
How much can I save with make-ready incentives?
The answer really depends on the program available to you from the utility that provides electricity to your place of business. For instance, Southern California Edison helps you save up to $10,000 per Level 2 port, while Unitil offers up to $143,000 for DC fast charging projects in Massachusetts.
What electrical upgrades are most expensive for commercial EV charging?
Getting a new commercial panel can set you back by as much as $4,000, but you should also factor in utility-side work, which can exceed this amount if your electricity provider doesn’t cover the bill. It’s possible to plan an EV charging project on budget by communicating with your utility, taking advantage of incentives available to you, and working closely with an EV installer who can help you plan a scope that fits your budget.
Plan Your EV Charging Project with Qmerit
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As the largest and most trusted electrification network in North America, our network of certified electricians has installed over 770,000 EV charging stations in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada.
We’ve earned our reputation as the most experienced and high-quality electrification service and EV charger installation network. With our experience and commitment to your business, we can help make your transition easy.
Learn more about our turnkey solutions for Commercial EV Charging or give us a call at (888) 272-0090 to see why we’re North America’s most trusted electrification network.
