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Hochul: More than $8.3 million to municipalities for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

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Thu, Apr 13th 2023 08:00 pm

Grants support nearly 250 new public charging stations in 70 communities statewide

√ New York state to build more than 1,300 charging stations for agency fleet over next five years

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than $8.3 million to 70 municipalities to install electric vehicle charging stations for public use.

Her team said, “The transportation sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York, and these electric vehicle charging stations will help the state achieve the ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”

The announcement, made at the New York International Auto Show today, includes an EV infrastructure plan to build of more than 1,300 charging stations in support of a full transition to a zero-emission state fleet.

"New York has made remarkable progress advancing our transition from fossil fuels and reducing harmful vehicle emissions statewide as part of our nation-leading climate agenda," Hochul said. "Thanks to initiatives like the Municipal Zero-Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure grants, communities across New York state are taking bold action to protect the environment and tackle the climate crisis. We will continue to invest in clean energy to improve the health and quality of life of New Yorkers and ensure a safe and sustainable future."

The 2022 round of the Department of Environmental Conservation's Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Grant Program made 131 awards to 70 municipalities totaling $8.38 million to support the installation of 454 level 2 charging ports, and 28 direct current fast charger (DCFC) pedestals throughout New York, the largest award amount since the program began in 2016. More than 42% of the grant funding was awarded for projects located in disadvantaged communities. The Climate Justice Working Group recently finalized criteria for disadvantaged communities that will ensure 35% (with a goal of 40%) of overall benefits of spending on clean energy and energy efficiency programs.

Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "DEC is proud to work with the communities and local leaders across the state investing in clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building sustainable infrastructure. This funding will continue to grow New York's electric vehicle charging network in communities as we shift to zero-emissions vehicles to reduce emissions and improve the health and safety of New Yorkers. DEC applauds these communities working to address the climate crisis by acting locally to bolster the state's climate leadership."

Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "Under Gov. Hochul's leadership, OGS is proud to lead the state's effort to install EV charging stations for New York state agencies. OGS is working with our partners in government and the private sector to meet the governor's goal to convert the state's light-duty fleet to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035."

New York Power Authority Acting President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "Moving EV adoption to the tipping point will require widespread collaboration and consumer education, and New York state agencies are working together to make it easier for consumers, businesses and local governments to make the transition. These investments in new charging installations push New York one step closer to a fully electrified transportation system."

ZEV infrastructure grants are available to cities, towns, villages and counties across New York under the DEC Municipal ZEV Program. The program also offers rebates for zero-emission fleet vehicles. The 2022 rebate awards for municipal zero-emission fleet vehicles were announced in December. Since its inception in 2016, the Municipal ZEV Program awarded more than $16 million in rebates and grants (including this round) toward the purchase of 114 plug-in hybrid vehicles and 182 all-electric vehicles, 1,076 level 2 charging ports, 44 fast charge pedestals, and three hydrogen fuel cell filling nozzles.

Recipients of the 2022 Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Grant award include

  • City of Olean, $499,210 for 20 level 2 charging ports
  • Town of Amherst, $470,683.20 for 14 level 2 charging ports and one DCFC pedestal
  • Village of South Dayton, $209,750 for one DCFC pedestal
  • Village of Lancaster, $137,200.00 for two level 2 charging ports and one DCFC pedestal
  • Town of Grand Island, $50,148 for four level 2 charging ports
  • Village of Hamburg, $49,100.80 for four level 2 charging ports
  • Town of West Seneca, $31,475.70 for four level 2 charging ports
  • Town of Eden, $26,377.96 for two level 2 charging ports

More information about the DEC Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grant Program, as well as Municipal ZEV Rebates, is available on DEC's website at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/109181.html#ZEV.

Greening New York State Fleets

The New York State Office of General Services is leading an effort to build more than 1,300 charging stations dedicated to fleet charging within five years at state facilities, beginning with the installation of 130 stations at OGS properties. These chargers will be a mix of networked level 2 and fast chargers. OGS Resiliency and Sustainability is also partnering with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to develop a clean fleet plan to identify critical infrastructure milestones required to meet this goal and recommend key policies and procedures to support and accelerate the transition to a zero-emission fleet.

EVolve NY Fast-Charging Progress

The New York Power Authority announced the number of chargers in its high-speed EVolve NY network has reached more than 120 at 32 sites along major travel corridors. Working with other state agencies, the total is expected to climb to at least 800 statewide by 2025. The direct current fast chargers is said to be able to charge most of the battery capacity in any make or model of EV in as little as 20 minutes.

Funding for the ZEV grants announced here was provided by the State Environmental Protection Fund.

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