Clean Transportation Tribal Programs

Commerce is proud to partner with tribal governments and enterprises to fund transportation electrification projects.

Through the Tribal Electric Boats Program, the Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program, direct appropriations from the Legislature, and EV Council Tribal Committee, Commerce seeks to uphold tribal sovereignty, strengthen government-to-government relations, and advance tribal goals for decarbonization, air quality improvement, and climate change resilience.

Tribal transportation electrification funding opportunities

Currently there are no open funding opportunities through Clean Transportation. Future funding opportunities depend on legislative appropriations. The next legislative session will begin in January 2027.

Sign up for updates from each funder listed in the links below to get the most up-to-date information. You can also refer to the EV charging funding page, the EV Council program catalog, and FundHubWA for additional opportunities.

Tribal Electric Boats Program

The Tribal Electric Boats Program (TEBP), funded by the Climate Commitment Act, awarded $4,750,000 to tribes to purchase five new electric and hybrid tribal fishing vessels, including boats for research and patrol activities. Grants include marine charging equipment needed to power the boats.

Awards list:

• Samish Indian Nation (Anacortes): $886,361 for a fully electric, 26-foot landing craft that will provide patrol and dive support functionality in the Salish Sea.
• Lummi Nation (Bellingham): $1,187,000 to purchase a hybrid diesel-electric multi-purpose vessel for Lummi Natural Resources Department and add a new marine EV charger at the Lummi Reservation.
• Quinault Indian Nation (Grays Harbor): $352,639 for a fully electric 24-foot workboat for fisheries research and monitoring in Grays Harbor, Lake Quinault and the Olympic Coast of the Pacific Ocean.
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Omak): $1,137,000 for a new all-electric passenger and work boat for multiple uses, including salmon harvest, cultural site visits, youth education, research and monitoring, and council- and community-led tours that connect tribal members to lands inaccessible by road.
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (Port of Swinomish): $1,187,000 to purchase an electric 32-foot workboat and Level 3 marine charger for use by Swinomish Police, Fisheries and Port Authority.

Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program

The Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program (WAEVCP) provides competitive grants to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Washington state. As the state’s community-based EV charging funding program, WAEVCP supports multifamily residential, publicly accessible, fleet, and workplace charging projects, helping fill gaps where private investment has not yet met community needs.

Funding round: WAEVCP 1, 2024

• Total funding awarded: $98.4 million

• Funding awarded to tribes, nations and tribal enterprises: $8.3 million
• Percent of funding awarded to tribes, nations and tribal enterprises: 8%

Funding round: WAEVCP 2, 2026

• Total funding awarded: $37.3 million
• Funding awarded to tribes, nations, and tribal enterprises: $8.0 million
• Percent of funding awarded to tribes, nations, and tribal enterprises: 20.6%

Direct appropriations

During a legislative session, funding for specific EVSE projects may be appropriated directly to tribes and nations for oversight by Commerce. The Clean Transportation Unit manages these contracts as appropriate for each grantee.