Multifamily Housing Rebate Program for Level 2 Charging

On September 8, 2026, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) launched the Multifamily Housing Rebate Program for Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, making $650,000 available for the installation of Level 2 EV charging infrastructure at multifamily residential properties. The Rebate Program comprises the State’s eighth solicitation for projects under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Settlement EMT). The purpose of the EMT is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides.

$650,000.00 remaining in unspent housing rebate funds, with $0.00 reserved for projects in progress.                       (Last updated: September 8, 2026)

Funding Opportunity

Under the Multifamily Housing Rebate Program, $650,000 of EMT funding is available for eligible projects. This initiative is designed to support the installation of Level 2 chargers at multifamily housing units, particularly in high-need areas. Rebates will be subject to two funding caps based on low-income housing and geographic considerations:

• 60% of total eligible project costs, up to $10,000 per charging plug, for projects located at housing developments that either meet the low-income housing eligibility criteria or are located in a significantly burdened census tract, both as defined in the next section of this page.
• 60% of total eligible project costs, up to $6,000 per charging plug, for all other developments.

To qualify for the VW Level 2 Rebate, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Rebate Reservation Request Worksheet prior to beginning projects. This process will ensure project eligibility and available funding upon successful completion of the designated project. Separate requests must be submitted for each site if proposing multiple locations. Following review and approval of reservation requests for eligible projects, TDEC will provide a letter confirming the estimated rebate amount to be reserved for a period of 90 days from the date of the letter.

Project Eligibility and Key Considerations

Eligible properties include multifamily housing developments in Tennessee with a minimum of 4 units per site.

• Eligible applicants include:
• Property owners;
• Authorized property managers;
• Homeowner associations (HOAs); and
• Authorized lessees of multifamily housing developments.

The allowable rebate per charging plug will be determined based on the total eligible project costs, the number of plugs installed, and whether the development meets the Program’s definition of low-income or affordable housing or is located in an area facing significant environmental and economic burden:

• Low-income or affordable housing is defined as having at least 20% of units reserved for residents earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income, with those residents paying no more than 30% of their monthly gross income on rent.
• Areas facing significant environmental and economic burden are defined as census tracts with a score of 0.5 or higher according to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Environmental Justice Index tool.
• For information regarding parking accommodations for individuals with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please visit the Department of Energy’s site on ADA Compliance for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs under this Program are limited to the costs associated with the purchase and installation of eligible Level 2 EV charging infrastructure (e.g., purchase and installation of charging infrastructure hardware, make-ready activities such as trenching or laying of electrical conduit, etc.); support services (e.g., engineering and design, site identification and qualification); and operational and maintenance costs purchased upfront, including maintenance services, network fees, bollards, and wheel stops.

Rebate funding shall not cover costs associated with the purchase or rental of real estate; other capital costs (e.g., construction of buildings, canopies, parking facilities, etc.); general maintenance (i.e., maintenance other than of the charging infrastructure); and legal fees associated with land acquisition. The Program will also not reimburse administrative costs (i.e., costs not directly connected to purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of the charging infrastructure).

Award Information and Program Requirements

• Charging infrastructure must be accessible by residents of the multifamily housing development 24/7, 365 days of the year.
• Maximum rebate: $6,000 or $10,000 per plug depending on the property type, for up to 10 plugs per site.
• Each site must include at least two plugs.
• Following review and approval of rebate reservation requests for eligible projects, the estimated rebate amount for a project will be reserved up to a period of 90 days from the date of the letter.
• Rebates will be provided after project completion and the submission of a complete and accurate rebate application. TDEC OEP reserves the right to conduct onsite monitoring of the site to verify project completion prior to processing the rebate payment.
• Drive Electric Tennessee has developed a Multifamily Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Guide, which may be of assistance to prospective applicants.

Application Instructions

Final rebate applications will be considered only upon the completion of eligible charging infrastructure installation. The applicant must complete the Application Checklist with all items detailed in the checklist and provide additional supporting documentation, including an itemized list of expenses, invoices for equipment/services, proofs of payment, photographs of the completed installation, and verification of eligibility for the higher funding cap, if applicable.

Applicants proposing multiple locations must submit a separate application packet for each site.

Step-By-Step Process

1.      Eligible applicant completes Rebate Reservation Request Worksheet  and sends to TDEC.OEP@tn.gov

2.      Eligible applicant registers as a supplier with the State of Tennessee and obtains a Supplier ID

3.      TDEC OEP generates Reservation Letter for eligible applicant based on anticipated rebate amount

4.      Eligible applicant has 90 days to complete project and send required application documentation to TDEC.OEP@tn.gov

5.      TDEC OEP reviews application for completeness and accuracy

6.      Once application is determined complete, TDEC OEP determines eligible rebate amount based on actual costs

7.      The State reimburses the applicant for the determined final rebate amount

Application Checklist

• Completed Multifamily Housing Rebate Program Rebate Reservation Request worksheet
• Itemized budget for the project
• A copy of invoice(s) for rebate-eligible equipment/services
• Proof of payment for equipment/services rendered
• Housing Association rules, regulations, or by-laws allowing the use of the EV charging station by all residents in the complex
• Photo documentation of completed installation
•  (if applicable) Documentation showing verified low-income/affordable housing status
• (if applicable) Verification of the project’s location within a census tract scoring a 0.5 or higher according to the CDC’s Environmental Justice Index tool

Multifamily Housing Rebate Program materials are available in the tabs below, including application documents and definitions.

TDEC.OEP@tn.gov with the subject line "Multifamily Housing Rebate Program Application."

For more information on the VW Settlement, visit the TDEC website: http://www.tn.gov/environment/VWSettlement