Apartment and condo owners in Tumwater can now apply for city grants covering up to 100% of the cost to install electric vehicle charging stations, with funding of up to $12,500 per charging port.

The city announced on its official Facebook page on July 29 that it is accepting interest forms from multifamily property owners who want to install Level 2 residential EV chargers. Properties must have five or more housing units to qualify. Eligible costs include design, planning, engineering, and installation.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-eligible basis, with priority given to properties that include affordable housing units.

The initial interest form deadline was Friday, July 31. Whether the city will open additional application windows has not been announced.

Program still under council review

City staff presented options to the Tumwater City Council covering program design, potential funding sources, permitting requirements, and technical standards, according to a ThurstonTalk roundup published Sunday, August 2. The proposal remains under review, with a possible pilot approach being discussed before any broader rollout.

The city has not publicly identified the grant's funding source. Olympia is running a parallel EV charging subsidy for multifamily properties funded through Rocky Mountain Institute and General Motors, but Tumwater's program carries a different subsidy structure: $12,500 per port versus Olympia's $25,000 per property cap.

Residents raise questions

The city's Facebook announcement drew public questions about ongoing costs. The program covers installation but does not address who pays for electricity afterward.

Resident Ty Rosenow commented on the city's post:

"Who foots the electric bill? Can we add fees or charge for the use of charging stations?"

The city has not publicly responded. No council vote date has been set, and the next step for property owners who submitted interest forms by the July 31 deadline remains unclear.