Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State’s plans to install 100 new fast chargers in New York City as the 2024 New York International Auto Show kicks off. Today’s announcement builds on New York’s $1 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector, which is vital to reducing emissions and achieving Climate Act goals.
“2024’s Auto Show welcomes all New Yorkers and visitors to the Javits Center to see the latest and greatest car models and to learn about electric vehicles and fast charging,” Governor Hochul said. “Electric vehicle purchases have risen 660 percent in the last five years, and we are increasing the availability of EV fast chargers throughout New York. I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to come see the Auto Show and learn more about electric transportation and its benefits.”
In partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is building more than 100 new fast chargers in New York City. This includes 76 high-speed chargers at thirteen new EVolve NY hubs, 20 fast chargers owned by the City and currently in design, and 12 chargers at LaGuardia Airport, slated to begin construction next year. Most sites currently in design will be completed in 2025, with all online by 2026.
The International Auto Show, which runs March 29 through April 7 at the Javits Center, invites people to take a test ride in eight EV models on the Level 1 EV test track and to stop by the state's Charge NY exhibit to learn about incentives for purchasing EVs and programs that support charger growth throughout New York. Auto Show visitors can take a ride, with a professional driver, in a range of new model EVs and explore exhibits that promote consumer awareness and EV adoption.
Visitors to the state’s Charge NY booth can see a map of New York charging sites and plan travel routes on an interactive platform to see where to charge and estimates for how long charging will take at each station. State agency representatives shared information about New York’s programs for making EV driving easier at a panel discussion this morning.
EVolve NY Fast-Charging Network Expanding Across State
The Power Authority is building out high-speed chargers along New York State's major travel corridors through its EVolve NY network. Over the past four years, 170 chargers have been installed at 43 sites, making it easy to travel from New York City to Buffalo, the Adirondacks or Montauk. 38 additional EVolve NY sites are in development, with a total of 90 sites and 400 chargers planned by the end of 2025.
EVolve NY’s mission is to make it significantly easier for New Yorkers to drive across the state and find fast chargers so they can power up and get back on the road quickly. Battery-powered EVs equipped with fast charging capability can charge up in as little as 20 minutes.
EV Consumer Adoption on the Rise
New York State has 200,000 EVs on the road as of February 2024. Growing the number of electric vehicles is supported by programs like the Drive Clean Rebate, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The program has issued more than 132,000 rebates to New Yorkers, totaling more than $135 million, in all 62 counties since 2017. The incentive can also be combined with the federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credit of up to $7,500 for eligible buyers of qualified clean vehicles.
There are currently more than 14,000 Level 2 and DCFC fast chargers installed across the state. The first new fast electric vehicle chargers under NYSERDA’s Direct Current Fast Charger program, which also provides funding for fast charging stations in areas where access is limited, were recently installed by EV Gateway in Ithaca, Owego and Vestal and are expected to be operational this spring.
Additionally, the $15 million Charge Ready 2.0 program is available to support installing Level 2 chargers at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, and public facilities, and complements other initiatives such as EV Make Ready, EVolve NY and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) programs.
In January 2024, New York State was awarded $15 million in federal funding to build out electric vehicle charging in small- to medium-sized cities, state parks and other tourist destinations, such as hotels and $13 million to repair or replace broken or non-operational electric vehicle charging ports.
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “With the expansion of high-speed charging hubs, drivers will be able to find fast chargers wherever they want to go -- whether visiting Manhattan, Syracuse or Buffalo or driving along the scenic roads of Upstate New York. The EVolve NY network is bringing additional affordable, accessible fast-charging opportunities to EV drivers, enabling them to play an even more significant role in the clean-energy transition.”
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The New York International Auto Show is an exciting opportunity to explore the latest vehicle technology and innovation including electric cars and trucks which are an important component of reducing emissions economywide. With more clean transportation on New York’s roadways than ever before and our ongoing investments in charging infrastructure buildout, the Auto Show helps more consumers realize that the time is now to embrace driving electric.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Department of Transportation is proud to be a part of Governor Hochul’s nation-leading agenda to combat climate change. Through our efforts under the landmark National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, we are working tirelessly to create a network of reliable fast charging stations that will encourage more New Yorkers to make the switch to electric vehicles, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a greener future for the next generation. Together, we are supercharging our efforts to combat global warming.”
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette M. Moy said, “OGS is leading the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in support of Gov. Hochul’s commitment to fully convert the State fleet by 2035. With transportation accounting for 26% of economy-wide emissions, electrification of our fleet is critical to reducing the State’s emissions. OGS is proud to play a multifaceted role in this transition: providing guidance to partner agencies, analyzing long-term costs and savings, and expanding access to the infrastructure needed to charge the way towards an all-electric future.”
New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, “As part of the city’s strategy to confront the climate crisis and to clean the air we breathe, the Adams administration is committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles across the five boroughs. We are proud to partner with NYPA to build up to 13 fast charging stations across the five boroughs, dramatically expanding access to underserved communities and supporting the electrification of the city’s taxi and for-hire vehicle fleets.”
Taxi & Limousine Commissioner and Chair David Do said, “Our rideshare licensees have been catalysts for the City’s EV and charging evolution, and thanks to them, our Green Rides Initiative is already two years ahead of schedule. These chargers provide a critical resource to our drivers, and the discounts help them keep more money in their pockets. We are thrilled to be partners with NYPA on the frontlines of the EV adoption.”
EV owners can locate public chargers using smartphone apps such as EVConnect, ElectrifyAmerica
EVGo, Livingston Charge Port, Google Maps, or the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. For a map showing EVolve NY chargers, click here. Note that the EVolve NY chargers operate on the Electrify America and EV Connect networks. Credit cards are accepted to charge; no subscription or membership needed.
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%, with a goal of 40%, 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% 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% 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.