The 2025 EVolve Grant application cycle opened March 3, 2025. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 15, 2025.
Santee Cooper’s EVolve Grant Program is here to help you take charge of your electric vehicle project. The EVolve Grant Program allows eligible commercial customers to apply for up to $25,000 in grant funding to help you get started on your EV journey. A competitive scoring process will help Santee Cooper choose the top projects to receive funding.
Project Categories
Customers are encouraged to apply for EV projects in one of four project categories:
- Make-Ready Research
- Education and Outreach
- Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
- Electric Fleet Conversion
For more information on these categories, see the program application in step one below.
Get Started!
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Review Application
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Read our application before starting the application process to ensure that you qualify. You can find examples of completed applications in our FAQs.
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The application is a required document. Submissions received without a completed application will be marked as incomplete and not be considered for funding.
Here is a recording of an information webinar that will walk you through how to apply to the program.
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Complete Application
- Once you have read the program requirements, please fill out all applicable documentation for your project.
- All documentation and questions about the program should be submitted to e-mobility@santeecooper.com
- All documentation must be submitted by August 15, 2025. Any applications not fully completed by August 15, 2025 will not be accepted.
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Wait for Scoring
- Santee Cooper uses an independent, third-party grant manager to review and score projects.
- Once scoring is complete and projects are approved, Santee Cooper will reach out to let you know if your project has been approved for funding.
- Project approvals and denials will be sent out by the end of November 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a recording of an information webinar that will walk you through how to apply to the program.
EVolve Grant Application Process Tutorial
| 0:00 | Welcome |
| 0:06 | Grant Overview and Guidance |
| 0:45 | Who can apply? |
| 1:05 | Eligible Project Categories |
| 1:36 | Funding Allotments and Maximums |
| 1:58 | Maximum Funding by Project Category |
| 2:34 | What can be funded? |
| 3:04 | What cannot be funded |
| 3:30 | Project Types and Examples |
| 3:56 | Education / Outreach EXAMPLES |
| 4:15 | Electric Fleet Conversion EXAMPLE |
| 4:25 | Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure EXAMPLE |
| 4:36 | Make-Ready Research / Needs Assessment EXAMPLE |
| 4:46 | Evaluation Criteria |
| 4:54 | Project Design and Benefits |
| 5:15 | Feasibility and Timeline |
| 5:50 | Costs and Financing |
| 6:17 | An acceptable application is…. |
| 7:11 | Project Readiness Checklist |
| 7:51 | Points of Contact |
| 8:00 | Equipment |
| 8:12 | Preliminary Costs |
| 8:28 | Supplemental Documents Checklist |
| 9:01 | Optional Documents |
| 9:09 | 2024 Timeline |
| 9:22 | Next Steps |
| 9:37 | Contact Us Info and Thank You |
Santee Cooper has set aside $100,000 for Evolve grants in 2025. Each customer is eligible for a maximum of $25,000 of grant funds.
No. Funding for projects will go through a competitive scoring process that will be completed by an independent third party.
Customers will have one year from the date of project approval to complete the project. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis but are not guaranteed.
Note: We are aware that there are currently supply chain delays and long wait times for EVSE equipment and EV orders. We encourage you to apply despite supply chain delays and request that you acknowledge the potential delays in your application (under the Project Timeline question on page 9 of the EVolve application). While our grant requests that you complete your project within one year, extensions will be given to approved projects that have reasonable delays due to supply chain issues.
The amount of funding for projects is based on the project category, however preference may be given to projects that have secured matching funds. Please see the application for the maximum funding allowed for each project category.
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Project Category |
Maximum Santee Cooper Funding |
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Make-Ready Research / Needs Assessment |
100% |
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Education / Outreach |
100% |
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Electric Fleet Conversion |
25% |
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Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure |
50% |
Approved projects will receive funds upon the completion of the project and submission of all required documentation. At this time, projects are not eligible to receive any funds prior to the completion of the project.
Yes, please see our examples below.
Please see the application for a list of scoring criteria. Santee Cooper will use an independent third-party grant manager to review and score projects. Scores will be submitted to Santee Cooper, which has sole discretion of funding.