New York State Awarded $15 Million In Federal Funding For Electric Vehicle Charging

U.S. Department of Transportation Grant Will Improve Access to Charging Infrastructure in Small to Medium Cities and Tourist Destinations Including State Parks and Hotels

January 12, 2024

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has been awarded $15 million in federal funding to build out electric vehicle charging. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will improve access to charging infrastructure and clean transportation in small- to medium-sized cities, state parks and other tourist destinations, such as hotels and other areas, to continue expanding the availability of charging across New York State. Today’s announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 and the State’s requirement that all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in the state be zero emission by 2035.

“Reducing transportation emissions and transitioning to electric vehicles is key to meeting our nation-leading climate goals,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State is accelerating access to strategically placed EV infrastructure as we continue to advance clean, healthy transportation options. This funding from the Biden Administration will ensure residents and visitors alike have the latest charging technologies available to suit the needs of all travelers and communities across the state.”

This award was issued in response to an application submitted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration on behalf of New York State in June 2023. NYSERDA, in partnership with the New York State Office of General Services, New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in New York State and other planning councils, will administer the grant funds for a community-focused program aimed at filling key gaps in charging infrastructure while matching sites with the most cost-effective and location-appropriate charging types. Charging infrastructure types funded under this program include Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) that are best for quick charging and Level 2 chargers which are suitable for charging over longer periods of time.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Convenient, reliable EV charging is key to improving clean transportation options in communities and tourist destinations. We are proud to have worked with our state partners and municipal planners on this strategy to improve critical transportation infrastructure in underserved areas and look forward to rolling out this plan to support more clean cars on our roadways.”

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “The federal funding announced by Governor Hochul today will help ensure New York’s transition to clean transportation is supported with the charging infrastructure necessary to meet the needs for our State fleet and EV drivers throughout the state. OGS is proud of our work with NYSERDA and all our partners in state government as we strive to meet the Governor’s ambitious climate goals and ensure a zero-emission future for us all.”

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “We are grateful for Gov. Hochul’s leadership and NYSERDA to secure this grant for New York State. We welcome these charging stations to ensure it is easy for our visitors to use EVs when visiting our State Parks and Historic Sites. They can park, explore and recharge themselves and their vehicles at the same time. As we mark our Centennial, our goal is to make sure our State Parks and Historic Sites are around for the next 100 years, and beyond.”

To implement this funding, NYSERDA will launch competitive solicitations for projects that are consistent with the goals of the award, which include:

• Level 2 charging stations at more than 200 locations, including state parks, hotels, additional tourist destinations, state office buildings, and municipal parking lots throughout the state. NYSERDA will issue a solicitation for potential tourist and municipal sites to finalize the locations of charging stations to be installed.
• DCFC chargers in up to six small- to medium-sized cities focusing regionally on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley, and in the Southern Tier. The cities selected will include New York State-designated disadvantaged communities and a large proportion of multi-family homes within their jurisdictions. NYSERDA will issue a solicitation for potential sites within the identified areas to finalize the locations of charging stations to be installed.
• Workforce Development to train New Yorkers to install and maintain charging stations.

These charging stations will ensure it is easy for New Yorkers and visitors to New York to use their EVs in their daily routines and on longer trips. Level 2 charging stations, when placed strategically at tourist destinations, will relieve the need to use faster DCFC charging stations on longer trips, thereby reducing the need for electric grid upgrades. DCFC stations in cities increase opportunities for those who don’t have access to home charging to drive EVs and further enable widespread EV travel.

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOT’s Federal Highway Administration, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to strategically deploy EV charging and other alternative vehicle-fueling infrastructure projects in publicly accessible locations in urban and rural communities, as well as along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) . For more information on President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and investments in electric vehicles, please visit FHWA’s BIL web site .

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “New York just got a major jolt from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to power up brand new electric vehicle charging stations across the entire Empire State. Electric vehicles are booming in popularity, and for this industry to succeed we need to make charging your car as easy and convenient as filling up a gas tank, and today’s investment will help us to do just that by bringing more charging stations to where people work and to popular tourist destinations across New York. When I led the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to passage, it was investments like these — that help boost the state’s economy and improve air quality — that I had in mind. New York, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, is leading the way to build out our nation’s network of EV chargers, supercharging the fight against climate change and getting us on the road to a cleaner future.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Electric mobility is the future of transportation and will help create a healthier, cleaner environment for New Yorkers. This federal funding will be used to build much-needed EV charging infrastructure throughout New York State to help get more electric vehicles on the road, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions and cleaner air for New Yorkers. I am proud to have fought to secure this funding and will continue to fight to create a healthier environment for all.”

Representative Paul Tonko said, “Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve been proud to lead the way in the fight to expand EV charging infrastructure here in New York and across the nation. That’s why today, I’m thrilled to celebrate this crucial federal investment that bolsters our efforts to combat climate change, meet our emissions goals, and advance the clean transportation of the future. I’m excited to see the impact this effort will have on New York State, and I remain committed to promoting sustainable solutions that move us toward a cleaner, greener future.”

Representative Grace Meng said, “This $15 million for electric vehicle charging is extremely exciting for New York. This crucial money will help boost our economy and ensure a cleaner future throughout our state. As New York’s representative on the Regional Leadership Council – which works to promote and implement legislation signed by President Biden – I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass is continuing to benefit New York and help our future generations.”

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “To clean up our transportation sector and address the climate crisis, New York needs a robust electric vehicle charging network so people can charge up their cars conveniently anywhere across the state. We congratulate NYSERDA for receiving $15 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Federal Highway Administration, which will help New York build out charging infrastructure and hasten the EV revolution.”

Alliance for Clean Energy New York Interim Executive Director Deb Peck Kelleher said, “Ready access to EV charging stations is a concern for those wanting to purchase and operate an electric vehicle. We need a robust charging network across the state, and I applaud NYSERDA and the federal government for working hard to make that a reality. An increasing number of chargers where New Yorks live, work, and play will spur greater EV usage and reductions in climate changing carbon emissions.”

This award complements Governor Hochul’s ongoing investments in clean transportation. New York is investing more than $2.7 billion in zero emissions vehicles over the next five years and adopting clean car and clean truck regulations that require 100 percent zero-emission passenger car and light-duty truck sales by 2035. Active light-duty vehicle initiatives include zero-emission vehicle purchase rebates through NYSERDA’s Drive Clean Rebate Program zero-emission vehicle and charging infrastructure grants through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Climate Smart Communities Municipal Grant Program as well as the "EV Make Ready" initiative, New York Power Authority's EVolve NY charging infrastructure program, NYSERDA’s Charge Ready 2.0 for Level 2 charging infrastructure, and the New York State Department of Transportation’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) charging infrastructure program to help expand electric vehicle use.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $46 billion in 65 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.