Public Feedback Will Help State Department of Transportation Finalize Plans for Buildout of Fast Charging Infrastructure Along Designated EV Alternative Fuel Corridors

August 11, 2022

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that the New York State National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program Plan is available online. The NEVI program was created as part of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) of 2021 and provides federal funding to establish an interconnected network for reliable charging for electric vehicles traveling long-distance. New York’s plan includes information on the state’s goals, focus and approach to using the NEVI funding; and how it will support the State’s nation-leading clean energy agenda and complement the state’s pre-existing electric vehicle support programs.

New York State welcomes public feedback on the proposed plan through an online comment form to help ensure the program supports the needs of New Yorkers. The plan and comment form can be found on the state’s NEVI website here.

“New York State is implementing a nation-leading agenda to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership,” Commissioner Dominguez said. “New York’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program is a key part of that agenda and provides a roadmap to ensure that EV drivers can safely travel throughout New York State to reach interstate, regional and long-distance destinations. It’s important that New Yorkers learn about the program and provide feedback on the plan so we can work to build out our electric vehicle infrastructure now, and into the future.”

The NEVI program provides dedicated federal funding to states and its initial focus is on making available publicly accessible Direct Current Fast Charging for passenger EVs at intervals of no more than 50 miles apart and within 1 travel mile of designated corridors, with an emphasis on locations near interstate highway exits. New York is expected to receive $175 million in NEVI Program funding over the five-year period of the IIJA. Before funding can be spent, the New York State Department of Transportation was required to submit a deployment plan that describes how the funding will be used to the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation by August 1. New York State submitted its plan on July 31.

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. Public comments will be accepted until September 20, 2022.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program will help accelerate access to clean transportation across New York State, growing the number of fast charging locations and providing drivers with more opportunities to power their vehicles. We look forward to hearing feedback on the plan so we can continue to reduce pollution and emissions to fight climate change and create healthier communities to benefit all New Yorkers.”

In early 2022, Governor Hochul announced more than $12 million was added to the State's Drive Clean Rebate program to help consumers save up to $2,000 on the purchase of an electric vehicle and $2.7 million awarded to local governments to purchase electric vehicles and install zero-emission charging/fueling stations for public use to address climate change and build healthier communities. Together, the consumer rebate program and the grants awarded to 49 community-based projects total $14.7 million to advance the State's efforts to achieve New York's ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

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. The State, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, is rapidly advancing measures that all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero emissions by 2035, along with all school buses being zero emissions the same year. Reducing carbon emissions and pollution from vehicles creates cleaner air and healthier communities, particularly in underserved areas. The range of initiatives to grow access to electric vehicles and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers includes EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, NEVI, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) and Charge NY. These programs are designed to get 850,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025 and expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure.