Albany, NY - June 1, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new $250 million electric vehicle expansion initiative, Evolve NY, with the New York Power Authority. In addition to state funding, the program will also seek to create private sector partnerships through 2025 to aggressively accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles throughout New York State. NYPA will be launching several new innovative initiatives to co-invest with private sector partners, collaborate with partners on identifying new business and ownership models, and increase customer awareness about electric vehicles and charging. This major investment plan aims to expand fast charger infrastructure and make EVs more user-friendly for all New Yorkers.
"New York has an incredible opportunity to move the needle on greenhouse gas reduction and get more electronic vehicles on the road by building more charging stations to ensure New Yorkers can drive them from one end of the state to the other," Governor Cuomo said. "With the NYPA EVolve NY initiative, we are making a significant move to make driving an electric car a viable choice and an affordable option that can make significant strides in cleaning the air for all New Yorkers."
"Electric vehicles started in Buffalo in 1902," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "I'm proud of that history, and now we're moving away from gas vehicles again and toward the future of electric vehicles. This significant investment will add charging stations in key areas - allowing people to travel across the state with the opportunity to recharge - and encourage more New Yorkers to use electric vehicles. This investment complements our ambitious energy goals of reducing emissions, helping to lower costs and protect the environment."
Evolve NY is a key pillar of the Governor's Charge NY 2.0 initiative, which aims to encourage and support electric car adoption by increasing the number of charging stations statewide, and will help bring the state closer to its goal of installing at least 10,000 charging stations by the end of 2021. Over the next seven years, NYPA will commit up to $250 million and partner with the private sector and other key stakeholders to attract longer-term private investment and collaborate on programs that will amplify the Governor's Charge NY 2.0 program and address key infrastructure and potential market gaps. The funding will be awarded through the state's competitive procurement process.
This initiative builds on New York State's major, multi-agency clean transportation efforts to make EVs more affordable and accessible, and helps accelerate Governor Cuomo's ambitious Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to lead the fight against climate change and grow New York's economy by building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system.
The initial phase of funding, approved on May 22 by NYPA trustees, directs $40 million to be allocated into three primary new programs through the end of 2019, including:
- Interstate Fast Chargers - Collaborate with the private sector, and other partners, to identify and install up to 200 direct current (DC) fast chargers along key interstate corridors - with a target interval of every 30 miles - and in select urban areas. DC fast chargers have the potential to charge the latest EV models in as little as 10 minutes for 200 miles of range. NYPA will collaborate with partners to determine optimal locations focusing on accessibility, convenience, affordability, and reliability of charging.
- Airport Fast Chargers - Leverage public and private partnerships to install DC fast chargers at or near John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. With more than 20 million passenger car trips around the airports annually, an EV charging hub has the potential to serve EV drivers within a 200 mile-radius of New York City. Program features may include promoting charger use by multiple users including rideshare companies, public vehicles, rental agencies, airport/commercial fleets and potentially buses. This advance will add to the medium-speed (Level 2) chargers that are already at the airports in indoor parking garages.
- EV Model Communities - Partner with a NYPA municipal or co-operative distribution utility to support an EV friendly model community that includes a utility-managed charging platform to ensure affordability, reliability, and grid efficiency. The community will test and scale new EV infrastructure and service business models that will encourage more residents to transition to driving EVs. Features may include developing home and public charging "subscriptions," an online customer portal, and EV education events.
New York has a long history of delivering affordable and accessible EV initiatives and infrastructure throughout the state. NYPA is currently installing 400 public chargers at airports, train stations, and municipal parking lots and, as recently announced, high-speed chargers have been installed on the New York State Thruway, with more planned for the remaining 23 service areas between New York City and Buffalo. NYPA has also partnered with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and ConEd to bring electric buses to New York City. As part of the EVolve initiative's second phase, NYPA will work with partners to further accelerate public transportation fleet electrification efforts, including working with the MTA to transition its entire bus system to a zero-emissions fleet, as announced in April 2018.
Today's announcement supports the state's implementation of the Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan adopted in 2014, pursuant to the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding, in which nine states now participate. While that Action Plan was focused primarily on cars and small trucks, today's announcement is an example of New York's increasing focus on electrifying trucks and buses - some of the greatest emitters of dirty emissions.
Additional funding and programs from the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Thruway Authority, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and other state agencies, as well as investment by Electrify America, will complement NYPA's efforts and help bridge any gaps to unlock private investment.
Additionally, in March 2017, Governor Cuomo launched the state's Drive Clean Rebate program. Administered by NYSERDA, the program provides residents with a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase or lease of a new plug-in hybrid or battery electric car from participating new car dealers. More than 6,600 New Yorkers have received rebates in the past year for 35 different types of cars. Overall, most consumers received rebates of at least $1,100 for their new electric cars. This initiative played a central role in incentivizing the purchase of more than 10,000 electric cars in 2017, a 67 percent increase over 2016.
Richard Kauffman, New York State Chairman of Energy and Finance, said, "The electric vehicle charging industry is growing and with this unique initiative, we will better leverage public dollars and partner with innovators and businesses to build an electric car and charging infrastructure across New York. Under Governor Cuomo, we want to ensure that EV driving New Yorkers and visitors alike are able to travel across New York and the neighboring Northeast corridor confident that they will have a charging station at every turn."
NYPA Board of Trustees Chairman John R. Koelmel said, "The Power Authority's mission is to be a first mover. We make early investments in cutting-edge technologies and innovations for the public benefit. By building a vast electric car charging network and supporting infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for a bright future - where electric vehicle driving is the norm. Our new EVolve initiative will supercharge our long-standing leadership, innovation and investment in EVs."
NYPA CEO and President Gil C. Quiniones said, "Electric vehicles are critical to achieving New York's clean energy goals and the Power Authority is uniquely positioned to make long-term investments to fill market gaps and help catalyze and accelerate EV adoption across the state. We are looking to partner with private businesses in the EV space to help eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers. We will address infrastructure barriers while educating our customers and the public about the many benefits of driving a lower-emission electric vehicle."
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said, "Sustainability is one of the top priorities of the Port Authority across all of our facilities and services. The Port Authority continually seeks to adopt innovative, eco-friendly strategies to support the growth of its operations. The agency's goal is to expand electric vehicle charging stations to all of its facilities in order to offer customers a convenient location to charge their vehicles. The agency is committed to sustainability and green-fleet transportation."
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Governor Cuomo is making New York a global leader in the fight to combat climate change by advancing the rapid electrification of the transportation sector. Emissions from cars and trucks are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York—more than one third of the state's total. The significant investment in electric vehicle infrastructure announced today will put more clean vehicles on the road and is crucial to maintaining momentum toward the Governor's ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gases 40 percent by 2030."
Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, "With the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations, Governor Cuomo is strengthening his commitment to connecting more zero-emitting electric vehicles and passengers to great destinations in New York. The Thruway is proud to support the Governor's mission of getting more electric vehicles on the road through the Charge NY initiative. Increasing the availability of chargers along the Thruway, as well as on additional interstate corridors, will ensure their availability in virtually every corner of New York State."
MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said, "A fully electric bus fleet of the future will only be possible with a robust charging infrastructure to power it. Governor Cuomo and NYPA are providing the leadership and support that will help MTA realize our goal of an emissions-free future for millions of daily bus riders."
Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, "Working together, state entities are expanding New York's electric vehicle infrastructure while making it easier than ever before for consumers to choose electric vehicles. The state's holistic approach to achieving Governor Cuomo's ambitious clean energy goals is providing consumers with smarter energy choices that will reduce our carbon footprint and make energy more affordable."
Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee Chair Joseph Griffo said, "As Chair of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, I am pleased to support the deployment of additional state funding for the expansion of electric vehicle vehicle infrastructure across New York State. The power generation sector has made great strides in reducing air pollution emissions from existing plants and the transition to more renewable electricity sources is in full swing. It is imperative that we invest in the modernization of our transportation system to meet clean air goals for the future health and well-being of our citizens. It also is important to support both electric vehicle infrastructure and electric vehicles while also examining all aspects of safety regarding these vehicles. I look forward to following NYPA's progress as the Authority implements the first phase of this important initiative."
Senate Transportation Chairman Joseph Robach said, "Whether its wind, solar or electric vehicles, I support New York State's efforts to lessen our carbon footprint. It is critically important that New York continue to work to ensure a 21st Century infrastructure statewide."
Assembly Energy Chairman Michael Cusick said, "With more New Yorkers seeing the benefits associated with purchasing electric vehicles, our State has seen an increase in electric cars on the road. The Drive Clean Rebate program gave New Yorkers an incentive to buy an electric vehicle. Now with our State investing in public electric vehicle charging station expansion, creating an electric vehicle community, and placing charging stations at major airports, we can provide residents with more of a reason to switch over to EVs. Giving resident accessibility to charging stations can help further propel the movement of "going green" when it comes to purchasing a vehicle."
Assembly Transportation Chairman David Gantt said, "The future of electric vehicles in our state will have an important impact on the environment and the economy. The Governor's plan to expand infrastructure will make low emission vehicles an option for more New Yorkers. I strongly support his efforts to move our state forward."
In another action intended to further encourage electric vehicle adoption, Governor Cuomo recently announced that the State Public Service Commission has launched a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate electric vehicle usage, expand the number of electric vehicle-charging stations, and determine how utilities can help increase electric vehicle penetration in New York State. The PSC will consider the electric utilities' role in providing infrastructure and rate design to accommodate the needs and electricity demand of EVs. It will also explore cost-effective ways to build such infrastructure and equipment, and determine whether utility tariff changes will be needed in addition to those already being considered for residential customers.
As part of this coordinated state effort, NYPA, DEC, the Thruway Authority, and the State Department of Transportation recently submitted a request for the PSC to timely modify electric rates for electricity customers that install fast chargers for electric vehicle recharging. Eventually, under the proposed rate adjustment, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and increased home and workplace charging, could increase revenue to operate and maintain the transmission and distribution system, allowing for a longer-term reduction in electricity rates for all ratepayers.
The state has also provided incentives for employers to encourage employees to drive electric vehicles, installed charging stations in public areas, and offered rebates for municipalities to purchase or lease electric (plug-in hybrid or battery) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for municipal fleet use and to install charging infrastructure.
For more information about the all-new EVolve NY initiative, including requesting fast chargers in your area or learning more about becoming an EV Model Community, visit the EVolve program page on NYPA's website. To contact an EVolve NY representative, e-mail: EVolveNY@nypa.gov.
Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and requiring 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven growth of more than 1,000 percent in the statewide solar market, improved energy affordability for 1.65 million low-income customers, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, visit rev.ny.gov, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.