Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a milestone in New York’s nation-leading effort to combat climate change and transition to zero-emission vehicles. The Federal Highway Administration has approved New York State’s updated plan to utilize National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program Funds to install and operate additional fast charging stations, clearing the way for the state to receive its next apportionment of $37.4 million to continue the buildout.
“In order to achieve our ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to all-electric vehicles, New York State must have a vast network of charging stations that are easy to use and convenient to reach,” Governor Hochul said. “By utilizing these critically important federal funds and by working together and combining their great skills and resources, our state Department of Transportation and Power Authority will create a state-of-the art charging network that will encourage more people to own EVs and help make a stop at the gas station a thing of the past.”
The approval comes as the State Department of Transportation and the New York Power Authority entered into an agreement to allocate the first installment of NEVI funds —approximately $20 million—to close the remaining charging station gaps along major state highways. Under this agreement, the Power Authority will utilize its Evolve NY fast charging infrastructure program to identify potential locations and install charging facilities within at least 20 designated NEVI-program gap-areas along key state highways, with most expected to complete by the end of 2024. The State Department of Transportation will leverage additional contracting vehicles for future phases of the NEVI program beyond corridor build-out, such as public-private partnerships, to expand geographic coverage of publicly accessible charging infrastructure and to support creation of charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The NEVI program was created as part of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) of 2021 and provides dedicated federal funding to states to support the strategic deployment of electric vehicle Level 3 Direct Current Fast Charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network for reliable charging, with an emphasis on locations near interstate highway exits. New York is expected to receive $175 million over five years but must submit updated plans to the Federal Highway Administration each year on how it intends to spend the money in order to receive its annual allotment.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Creating a climate friendly transportation system demands that we do all we can to encourage the use of electric vehicles. The Department of Transportation is proud to be a part of this new initiative, which will literally put a charge into New York’s nation-leading efforts to combat global warming and help make EV’s a more attractive and convenient option for motorists.”
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “The Power Authority is pleased to be New York State’s first recipient of NEVI federal funding, which we will leverage to accelerate the development of DC fast-charging to help New York achieve its aggressive carbon-reduction goals. NYPA is excited to collaborate with our Department of Transportation partners to further expand our EVolve NY charging network by strategically filling gap areas along key highway corridors, allowing New York to quickly access the remaining federal funding available to ensure that EV travel becomes more accessible and convenient throughout the state.”
Representative Paul Tonko said, “Investing in electric vehicle charging offers opportunities to revolutionize America’s transportation sector, which is why I pushed for EV provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Energized to see those investments being delivered to our New York communities. I look forward to continuing to build on this work that will lower costs for consumers, slash emissions, and help us achieve our climate goals.”
Representative Brian Higgins said, “In order to make a smooth transition to clean transportation we must invest in widely accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Thanks to funding from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New York State is leading the charge toward a renewable energy future by creating a network of fast electric vehicle charging stations on major routes connecting our communities. This announcement is yet another step toward making clean transportation more attainable, bringing us closer to achieving our 2040 climate goals.”
Representative Ritchie Torres said, “Investments in clean transportation are investments in our future and one reason I was proud to support President Biden’s historic, transformative, and bipartisan infrastructure and jobs bill last Congress. Now, under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York is set to dedicate $37.4 million in NEVI funding for fast-charging stations across the state, marking another significant milestone in its nation-leading climate action plan. This effort aligns strongly with our joint commitment to combat climate change, reduce emissions, and build a more sustainable, healthier, future.”
New York’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan was developed by the New York State Department of Transportation in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; the New York Power Authority; the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS); the New York State Thruway Authority; and the Long Island Power Authority.
Through its EVolve NY program, the New York Power Authority has installed high speed chargers along New York State’s major travel corridors, from Buffalo to Albany and from the Adirondacks to Long Island. The program’s goal is to make it significantly easier for New Yorkers to drive in any direction across the state and find fast chargers so they can power up and get back on the road quickly. Any battery-powered EV equipped with fast charging capability can charge up at an EVolve NY fast charger in as little as 20 minutes, including Tesla cars with an adapter. More information on EVolve NY fast chargers can be found on the program’s EVolve NYwebpage.
New York State’s $1 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector is vital to meet the State’s sweeping climate and clean energy plan. Reducing carbon emissions and pollution from vehicles creates cleaner air and healthier communities, particularly in underserved areas. A range of initiatives grow access to electric vehicles and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), and federal funding under the NEVI Program.
New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State’s nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35%, with a goal of 40%, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and over 3,000% growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
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