Governor Hochul Announces New York State Electric Vehicle Programs' Progress and Encourages New Yorkers to Visit Indoor Electric Vehicle Test Track at New York International Auto Show

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State electric vehicle programs and an EV test track powered by the New York Power Authority's EVolve NY high-speed chargers will be front and center this year at the New York International Auto Show opening at the Javits Center Friday, April 15, running through April 24. Governor Hochul also announced ten fast chargers, able to power compatible EVs in less than 30 minutes, will be installed at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's LaGuardia Airport as part of NYPA's EVolve NY fast charging network. The state's EVolve NY electric vehicle charging network will soon have more than 100 high-speed charging ports across the state. Additionally, in support of the state's $1 billion investment to support EV adoption and infrastructure in her 2022 State of the State, Governor Hochul invited the public to visit the state's Charge NY booth at the Auto Show to learn about state programs that support EV purchase, driving and charging and to visit the Level 1 test track powered by EVolve NY chargers.

"Electric vehicles are key to decarbonizing our transportation system and as the global auto industry invests heavily in the latest zero-emission vehicles, New York will continue to focus on expanding our cross-state fast charging network and incentivizing EVs, which will help us transition to a healthier, greener future," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud to welcome the New York International Auto Show back to New York in person this year and I encourage everyone to visit the Auto Show to see how EVs are fast becoming integral to New York's clean energy economy."

Auto Show visitors can take a ride, with an authorized driver, in a range of EVs and explore exhibits that promote consumer awareness and EV adoption including New York's Charge NY exhibit on Level 1 right next to the EVolve NY charging stations and the main EV Test Track, one of three indoor EV test tracks at this year's show

NYPA is providing seven Level 2 chargers for the test track, which is available for use by any exhibitor with an EV. The Level 1 EV test track JuiceBox chargers are provided by Enel X.

Governor Hochul also announced today that 10 high-speed chargers with power outputs up to 350 kW have been approved at the Port Authority's LaGuardia Airport in Queens. Part of the EVolve NY network, the hub will be one of the largest publicly accessible fast-charging stations for EVs in the Northeast. The chargers will be installed in a new space to be developed on Runway Drive between Terminals A and B and are anticipated to open in 2023. The chargers will serve the general public including rideshare and taxi drivers, and should provide charging to all EVs, including Teslas with an adapter. In 2020, a similar site was opened at JFK International Airport. In the last year, the JFK site had more than a fivefold increase in utilization, registering more than 11,000 charging sessions.

The fast chargers will complement the 11 existing medium-speed chargers that serve customers parking in the airport's indoor parking garages. In 2021, the Port Authority became the first transportation agency in the nation to adopt the Biden Administration's greenhouse gas reduction targets with a plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 across all its facilities. Additionally, the agency set new interim targets to reduce direct emissions under the Port Authority by 50 percent by 2030.

New York Power Authority Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "Electric vehicles are rightly positioned center stage at this year's New York International Auto Show. By looking at new EV models and learning about the increased availability of charging, Auto Show visitors can see why so many New Yorkers are choosing to drive EV. The New York Power Authority has made great progress in expanding its EVolve NY fast-charging network, so much so that we will soon have 100 fast chargers strategically located throughout the state, including at airports, municipal and private parking lots and convenience store locations. New Yorkers can search for EVolve NY chargers on Google maps to find fast-charging locations in their neighborhoods."

Kevin O'Toole, Chairman at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, "By providing 10 new fast chargers to LaGuardia Airport we hope to provide more drivers with convenient charging options at the airport. The Port Authority continues to find ways we as an agency can reduce carbon emissions, and that certainly includes increasing the number of publicly available charging stations."

Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, "The Port Authority remains committed to achieving an agency-wide net zero vision plan and today we continue that commitment with the announcement of 10 new EV chargers coming to LaGuardia Airport. With the help of our partners at the New York Power Authority, New York State Department of Transportation and New York State Office of General Services, LaGuardia Airport will be able to provide a new network of public EV fast chargers, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions and bringing us closer to a clean energy future."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, "Electric vehicles are our future and I'm thrilled to see them prominently featured at New York's premier auto show. This is an excellent opportunity for New Yorkers to learn more about the health and environmental benefits these cars offer and take one for a test drive to see how enjoyable they really are to operate."

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, "The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the State and under Governor Hochul'sleadership, we are advancing efforts to support electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure and transition to zero-emission buses and trucks. Through programs like DEC's Climate Smart Communities program for local governments to reduce emissions and the municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle program that helps purchase or lease new zero-emissions vehicles, DEC is focused on ensuring cleaner, greener transportation for all New Yorkers to improve public health and combat climate change both now and for future generations."

Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, "The Thruway Authority is creating an expansive network of electric vehicle charging stations, which is key to increasing the use of zero-emission electric vehicles. Because of the Thruway's investments in EV infrastructure, there are currently 40 EV charging stations in operation at Thruway commuter lots, select service areas, and Welcome Centers, in addition to at least two high-level EV charging stations at each Thruway service area by the end of 2024. Our goal is to create a robust, end-to-end connection of more than 120 fast charging EV stations with an average of 30 miles between each location system wide."

Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "The mission of the State Department of Transportation is to provide New Yorkers with a safe, efficient, balanced and environmentally sound transportation system. Electric vehicles are a vital weapon in the battle to reduce greenhouse gases and we are proud to support New York's nation leading agenda to combat climate change and usher in a greener economy."

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "New York State is accelerating its nation-leading clean energy goals through programs that will incentivize the use of electric vehicles and expand fast-charging networks. Charge NY, EVolve NY and the Drive Clean Rebate support the state's ambitious efforts to create the clean energy infrastructure and jobs that will supercharge our transition to a green economy."

Lenny Singh, Senior Vice President, Con Edison, said, "Con Edison is proud to sponsor the New York Auto Show's Electric Vehicle Test Track at this historic moment for the automotive industry. As the electric vehicle market accelerates, it's critical to ensure there's a robust charging network in place, and one that will support reliability of the electric grid. Through our EV programs, we're helping make that a reality for New York."

Charge NY

Visitors to the State's Charge NY booth on Level 1 (booth # 1509) can sit in a Ford Mustang Mach-E and learn about all New York State offers to get more electric cars and trucks on the road.

Last year Governor Hochul signed legislation setting a goal for all new passenger cars and trucks sold in New York State to be zero-emissions by 2035 with off-road vehicles and new medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles following in 2045. To achieve the level of EV adoption needed, New York State is continuing to invest in EV infrastructure, build consumer confidence in being able to easily find chargers, and make EVs affordable for all New Yorkers.

The state's Charge NY initiative is helping to accelerate electric car sales by raising awareness of technology and supporting the installation of more charging stations to make it easy to travel anywhere in New York in an electric car. The collaboration between NYPA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation aims to advance the State's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 through electric vehicle programming, infrastructure, education and supports.

EVolve NY

The EVolve NY network has 84 high speed chargers operational across New York State with more than 100 expected by next month. For a map noting EVolve NY chargers, click here .

NYPA's EVolve NY program aims to make electric vehicles easy to own in New York State to help decarbonize the state's transportation sector. Fast chargers are being located along major travel corridors and are compatible with all types of current EV models. Chargers are being installed in areas from Buffalo to Albany and the Adirondacks to Long Island.

Drive Clean Rebate

The Charge NY initiative offers EV buyers a Drive Clean Rebate of up to $2,000 for new car purchases or leases through a program run by NYSERDA. Buyers can also take advantage of the federal tax credit for electric cars, which provides up to $7,500 for the purchase of new electric cars.

Other state initiatives currently advancing clean transportation include EV Make Ready, that promotes charging station deployment by covering up to 90 percent of developers' costs to make-ready a site for EV charging. and the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), which helps public and private fleets purchase low- and zero-emission trucks and buses.

Drivers of most electric cars also can qualify for discounts on NYS Thruway tolls through the Thruway Authority's Green Pass Discount Plan and at bridges and tunnels in New York City through the Port Authority's Green Pass Program. Additionally, the Clean Pass Program allows these drivers to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes when driving alone.

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 $33 billion in 102 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 nearly 158,000 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.