$8 Million Available to Install Fast Chargers in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, Including Underserved Communities

December 14, 2022

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $23 million in funding and awards for transportation electrification initiatives in New York State. Today's announcement includes $8 million made available under the third round of the Direct Current Fast Charger program to install electric vehicle infrastructure in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, including underserved communities; $7 million in awards to ChargePoint and EVGateway to improve access in upstate New York under Rounds One and Two of the Direct Current Fast Charger program; and $8 million made available for electric school buses and paratransit buses under the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program. These initiatives support the state's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals of reducing carbon emissions 85 percent by 2050 and that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments be directed to disadvantaged communities.

"Reducing air pollution across the state is not only crucial for improving the health of our communities, but it also presents an exciting opportunity to invest in clean transportation options," Governor Hochul said. "By putting more electric buses on the road and installing fast chargers in underserved areas, we can provide New Yorkers with access to the latest in sustainable transportation. This not only advances equity and sustainability, but it also sets the stage for a brighter, cleaner future for all."

Doreen M. Harris, President & CEO, NYSERDA said, "We are proud to work with our partners ChargePoint and EVGateway to bring electric vehicle charging to upstate New York areas and strategically place the latest technology and infrastructure in locations that have had less fast charger deployment to date. Electric vehicles, including electric buses help community members and children alike have easy access to clean transportation as a part of their routine for work, school or to complete other essential errands."

The Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), seeks proposals from electric vehicle (EV) developers and installers that have a minimum of two years' experience and at least 10 fast chargers or 200 Level 2 chargers in operation. Under this solicitation, proposals will be considered that would develop two or more fast charging sites, with at least half of all stations located in underserved areas. Each site must be able to charge at least four vehicles and have a total site capacity of 600 kilowatts or more. Additionally, each site must be located within 12 miles of Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse city centers, and each proposal must have at least one site located within the city limits.

NYSERDA will accept applications Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page. for round three of the program from qualified EV developers and installers through February 28, 2023, and a scoring committee will evaluate all proposals based on the published criteria. Co-locating Level 2 EV chargers or distributed energy resources as part of the plan is encouraged.

For more information, a webinar Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page. will be held on December 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. ET.

Also announced today are two awards from funding offered in the first two rounds of the program awarded to improve fast charger access in other upstate New York areas. Awards include:

  • ChargePoint, $7 million - Awarded under Round One and Round Two, ChargePoint will install fast charging stations at four locations in each of the Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Western New York, and Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council areas. Each site will have four DC fast charge plugs for EV drivers with 25 percent (5 of 20) located within a half mile of a disadvantaged community.
  • EV Gateway, $750,000 - Awarded under Round Two, EVGateway will install fast charging stations at three locations in the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council area. Each site will have four DC fast charge plugs and two Level 2 plugs for EV drivers with 66 percent (2 of 3) located within one mile of a disadvantaged community.

And today, under the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program  (NYTVIP) program, $6 million is being made available to purchasers of new, zero-emissions all-electric school buses, with an additional $2 million available to purchase electric paratransit vehicles providing supportive community services. The program can cover up to 100 percent of the incremental vehicle cost on the condition that these buses are housed at bus depots or operate on routes located within a half-mile of a disadvantaged community.

Funding for both the Direct Current Fast Charger Program and the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program are part of New York State's $127.7 million portion of the federal Volkswagen Settlement funds administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Additional funding for the DCFC Program comes from RGGI auction proceeds. The DCFC program provides up to 80 percent of the cost to build publicly available charging stations for electric vehicles, does not use funding from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program so are and is not subject to NEVI program rules.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "To reduce emissions and achieve New York's nation-leading climate goals, our State is providing critical support to bolster electric vehicle use. I applaud Governor Hochul for these significant investments to help more upstate communities grow the electric vehicle market, make EVs accessible to more New Yorkers, and help deliver the health, environmental, and economic benefits of a clean transportation transition."

NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "New York State has committed to being a leader in electric vehicle infrastructure to advance the transition to a cleaner, greener transportation system. Today's announcement highlights a collaborative effort, directed by Governor Hochul, that will provide even more incentives to improve charging access in upstate cities, including underserved communities, and encourage wider use of electric vehicles for bus transport. The New York Power Authority's EVolve NY fast charging network is paving the way toward widespread electrification and sustainability."

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Working collaboratively with our many partners across the State to meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the Department of Transportation plays a key role in helping New York achieve its nation-leading clean energy and climate goals. Today's announcement on electric charging access for underserved communities in Upstate New York reflects the State's commitment to a cleaner, greener New York while providing incentives to support electric school and para transit buses. The green revolution is upon us, and with Governor Hochul's unwavering support, New York continues to lead the way."

State Senator Tim Kennedy said, "In order to fully support our ambitious climate goals outlined in the CLCPA, it's imperative that we're investing in sustainable green infrastructure and electrification initiatives across New York State. Today's announcement will create greater accessibility to clean energy and continue to incentivize the transition to zero emission vehicles statewide."

Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, "I welcome this announcement from NYSERDA. The largest barrier to the electrification of transportation is the lack of infrastructure. Most people will not seriously consider an EV until they reliably charge it. The projects announced today are an important step in this effort."

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, "Electrifying New York's transportation sector — which accounts for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the state — is a necessary component in our strategy to meet the climate mandates set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Today's investments furthers New York State's commitment to expanding electric vehicle infrastructure across Upstate, reducing range anxiety, and prioritizing improved access to electric vehicle ownership for New Yorkers. Electrifying more of our school buses by using federal Volkswagen Settlement funds in part will improve the health of our students across the state on their way to and from school. Thank you to Governor Hochul for continuing to build-out New York's electric vehicle infrastructure and prioritizing the electrification of our transportation sector."

ChargePoint President and CEO Pasquale Romano said, "New York's emissions reduction goals are among the most ambitious in the nation, and Governor Hochul has rightly acknowledged that electric vehicles must be part of the solution. Now we must work together to make sure every community and travel corridor — especially those in underserved areas — has access to charging. "We thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for their efforts to expand electric vehicle charging across the Empire State and look forward to working with NYSERDA and the Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Western New York, and Mohawk Valley communities on this exciting project."

EVGateway Vice President of Corporate Affairs Divina Anzures said, "EvGateway is excited to partner with NYSERDA to improve EV Charging infrastructure in the state of New York, especially in areas serving disadvantaged communities. We are looking forward to helping shape the state's DC Fast Charging Corridor."

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. A range of initiatives grow access to electric vehicles and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), Charge NY, and federal funding under the NEVI Program. These programs are designed to get 850,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025 and expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy including over $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2020, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities, and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.