An Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations at Albany International Airport. (File photo)
ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that New York State has been awarded $15 million in federal funding for electric vehicle charging.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve access to charging infrastructure and clean transportation, to continue expanding the availability of charging across New York State.
The announcement follows the state’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 and for all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in the state be zero emission by 2035.
“Reducing transportation emissions and transitioning to electric vehicles is key to meeting our nation-leading climate goals,” Hochul said in the release. “New York State is accelerating access to strategically placed EV infrastructure as we continue to advance clean, healthy transportation options. This funding from the Biden Administration will ensure residents and visitors alike have the latest charging technologies available to suit the needs of all travelers and communities across the state.”
To implement this funding, NYSERDA will launch competitive solicitations for projects that are consistent with the goals of the award, which include:
• Level 2 charging stations at more than 200 locations, including state parks, hotels, additional tourist destinations, state office buildings, and municipal parking lots throughout the state.
• Solicitation for potential tourist and municipal sites to finalize the locations of charging stations to be installed.
• DCFC chargers in up to six small- to medium-sized cities focusing regionally on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley, and in the Southern Tier. The cities selected will include New York -State-designated disadvantaged communities and a large proportion of multi-family homes within their jurisdictions. NYSERDA will issue a solicitation for potential sites within the identified areas to finalize the locations of charging stations to be installed.
• Workforce Development to train New Yorkers to install and maintain charging stations.
These charging stations will ensure it is easy for New Yorkers and visitors to New York to use their EVs in their daily routines and on longer trips. Level 2 charging stations, when placed strategically at tourist destinations, will relieve the need to use faster DCFC charging stations on longer trips, thereby reducing the need for electric grid upgrades.
DCFC stations in cities increase opportunities for those who don’t have access to home charging to drive EVs and further enable widespread EV travel.
“New York just got a major jolt from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to power up brand new electric vehicle charging stations across the entire Empire State,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in the release. “Electric vehicles are booming in popularity, and for this industry to succeed we need to make charging your car as easy and convenient as filling up a gas tank, and today’s investment will help us to do just that by bringing more charging stations to where people work and to popular tourist destinations across New York.
“When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, it was investments like these — that help boost the state’s economy and improve air quality — that I had in mind. New York, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, is leading the way to build out our nation’s network of EV chargers, supercharging the fight against climate change and getting us on the road to a cleaner future.”
“Electric mobility is the future of transportation and will help create a healthier, cleaner environment for New Yorkers. This federal funding will be used to build much-needed EV charging infrastructure throughout New York State to help get more electric vehicles on the road, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions and cleaner air for New Yorkers. I am proud to have fought to secure this funding and will continue to fight to create a healthier environment for all,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said.
“Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve been proud to lead the way in the fight to expand EV charging infrastructure here in New York and across the nation. That’s why today, I’m thrilled to celebrate this crucial federal investment that bolsters our efforts to combat climate change, meet our emissions goals, and advance the clean transportation of the future. I’m excited to see the impact this effort will have on New York State, and I remain committed to promoting sustainable solutions that move us toward a cleaner, greener future,” U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko added.
The funding complements Hochul’s ongoing investments in clean transportation. New York is investing more than $2.7 billion in zero emissions vehicles over the next five years and adopting clean car and clean truck regulations that require 100 percent zero-emission passenger car and light-duty truck sales by 2035.
Active light-duty vehicle initiatives include zero-emission vehicle purchase rebates through NYSERDA’s Drive Clean Rebate Program zero-emission vehicle and charging infrastructure grants through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities Municipal Grant Program as well as the “EV Make Ready” initiative, New York Power Authority’s EVolve NY charging infrastructure program, NYSERDA’s Charge Ready 2.0 for Level 2 charging infrastructure, and the New York State Department of Transportation’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) charging infrastructure program to help expand electric vehicle use.
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