Energize Weekly, June 13, 2018
New York State has launched a $250 million expansion plan for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and infrastructure with the aim of having 10,000 stations in place by 2021.
The program—EVolve NY—will include initiatives by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and private sector partnerships through 2025 to accelerate the adoption of EVs.
“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,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
The initial phase of funding, approved on May 22 by NYPA trustees, provides $40 million through 2019 for three new programs:
- Interstate Fast Chargers. The installation of up to 200 direct current (DC) fast chargers along key interstate corridors and select urban areas, with the goal of a station every 30 miles. DC fast chargers can give a 200-mile charge in 10 minutes. The program will involve collaboration with the private sector and other partners.
- Airport Fast Chargers. The installation of fast chargers at or near John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports using public and private partnerships. There are more than 20 million passenger trips to the airports annually. An EV charging hub could serve EV drivers within a 200-mile radius of the city. Additional features of the program may include promoting charging by multiple users, such as rideshare companies, rental car agencies, airport/commercial fleets and potentially buses. The new fast-charging stations would bolster the medium speed (Level 2) chargers already in airport parking garages.
- EV Model Communities. A partnership between NYPA and municipal or cooperative utilities to encourage EV-friendly communities offering grid-efficient, reliable and affordable utility-managed charging platforms. “The program will test and scale new EV infrastructure and service business models that will encourage more residents to transition to driving EVs,” the state said. Elements of such programs could be developing home and public charging “subscriptions,” an online customer portal and EV education events.
The NYPA is already installing 400 public charging stations at airports, train stations and municipal parking lots. High speed chargers have also been installed on the New York Thruway, with more planned at the remaining 23 service plazas between New York and Buffalo.
“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,” Richard Kauffman, New York State chairman of Energy and Finance, said in a statement.
