Cuomo: $3 million in state funds for municipalities to purchase zero-emissions vehicles & infrastructure

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the availability of $3 million in state funds to help municipalities purchase zero-emission vehicles and install related infrastructure. The rebates and grants are administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and supported by the state's Environmental Protection Fund to advance the governor's nation-leading climate change goals and clean transportation initiatives by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"New York is making tremendous strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors by transitioning to cleaner power sources," Cuomo said. "This funding will help more communities achieve a greener future by supporting transportation that is better for the environment and their budgets."

"We are investing in infrastructure and resources to advance and promote the use of zero-emission vehicles in communities across the state," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "This funding continues our aggressive efforts to support clean energy projects and initiatives to combat climate change to ensure a cleaner and greener environment for future generations."

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "These investments in zero-emissions vehicles and infrastructure are a win for the environment, because cleaner vehicles reduce air pollution; and a win for local governments and taxpayers, because electric vehicles are more energy-efficient and cost significantly less to operate. Today's announcement compliments Gov. Cuomo's comprehensive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector and provides real benefits for communities across the state looking to support clean energy."

This round of funding will be administered by DEC through the New York State Grants Gateway and includes the following:

•Clean Vehicle Rebates: $500,000: Rebates are available to municipalities that purchase (or lease for a minimum of 36 months) an eligible, clean vehicle placed into municipal service at a dealership in New York on or after July 1, 2019. Plug-in hybrid, all-electric, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with a 10- to 50-mile electric range are eligible for rebates of $2,500. Vehicles with an electric range of 51 miles or greater are eligible for rebates of $5,000. DEC will accept applications until July 24, 2020, or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

•ZEV Infrastructure Grants: $2,500,000: Grants are available to municipalities to install hydrogen-filling station components or electric vehicle supply equipment that is Level 2 or direct current fast charge (DCFC). A 20% local match based on total project cost is required. Maximum grant amounts are $250,000 for any facility and $500,000 to any one municipality. There is no minimum award amount. DEC will accept applications until May 29, 2020, or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.
Full details regarding both programs are available in the requests for applications on the DEC website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/109181.html.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority CEO and President Alicia Barton said, "Under Gov. Cuomo, New York communities are leading by example at the local level to transform our transportation sector – the state's largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Scaling up zero-emissions vehicles and charging infrastructure reduces range-anxiety and provides consumers the access they need to switch from dirtier transportation options in support of the state's steady march toward a cleaner future."

New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said, "Electric vehicles are critical to achieving New York state's clean energy goals, and this investment gives local governments the opportunity to play a key role in accelerating EV adoption and showing New Yorkers how they can drive cleaner. By purchasing low-emission vehicles and infrastructure, municipalities will be able to jump-start their commitments to pursue cleaner transportation and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while boosting energy efficiency and saving money in their own communities."

New York's holistic commitment to the expansion of clean transportation options is positioning the state as a national leader in zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) deployment and the continued technological advancement of charging infrastructure. Initiatives and programs are already underway seeking to achieve Cuomo's “Charge NY” goal of 10,000 ZEV charging stations by the end of 2021 and 800,000 ZEVs by 2025, and include:

• NYSERDA $5 million “Charge Ready NY” initiative, which provides $4,000 per vehicle charging port for public or private employers, building owners, municipalities and nonprofit organizations to install Level 2 charging stations, for a total of 1,250 new charging ports;
• To support increased purchases of electric vehicles, NYSERDA also administers the drive clean rebate, as part of a $70 million rebate and outreach initiative that has already provided more than 17,000 rebates to New York residents of up to $2,000 for the lease or purchase of a new electric car; and
• NYPA's commitment of up to $250 million through 2025 for “EVolve NY,” an initiative that accelerates EV adoption by partnering with the private sector and other key stakeholders to address market gaps in charging infrastructure, primarily by deploying a network of fast chargers in high-traffic corridors across the state.

New York State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, chairman of the Senate's Environmental Conservation Committee, said, "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through bold, aggressive action is essential for the health of our environment. The state's energy goals, set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, will decarbonize the transportation industry, and this initiative presents an important step in helping localities fund and accomplish that goal."