In an event at the high school on Thursday, Power Authority officials presented school officials and a group of students with a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a retired company car previously used by the quasi-public organization. The high school's automotive technology students will also use the car to learn how to disconnect an electric vehicle's battery and test its electrical components.
"We're going to focus on really teaching the kids the new electric technology that comes with cars these days," said Patrick Whitton, an automotive technology teacher overseeing around 120 students who will work with the vehicle.
In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state regulators to establish rules mandating that all passenger vehicles and trucks sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. During Thursday's event at the notably diverse school, Kaela Mainsah, vice president of NYPA's environmental justice program, said her organization's donation is part of efforts to include historically underrepresented groups in the state's transition to electric vehicles.
"The electric vehicle will be the norm, driving in an electric school bus or public transportation that's electrified is going to become the norm," Mainsah said. "New York State has really aggressive goals, some of the most ambitious goals for clean transportation."
Albany High School's career and technical education program is one of 22 similar educational programs statewide to receive an electric vehicle from the Power Authority over the last three years. The gift also included a charger and insulated hand tools to help students safely handle vehicle batteries.
In an interview, Albany High School junior Simon Carey said students cleaned the vehicle ahead of Thursday's presentation. He's most excited to learn how electric vehicles work.
"This gives us the chance to stay ahead of the curve," Carey told officials.
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