The money will go first to electric vehicle chargers at airports, along interstates and in utility programs.
(TNS) — New York state officials plan to invest $250 million in an effort to promote the use of electric vehicles throughout the state.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday a partnership with the New York Power Authority to expand Evolve NY, part of the governor's Charge NY 2.0 initiative, which aims to encourage and support electric car adoption by increasing the number of charging stations statewide. The latest effort is in line with a larger goal of installing at least 10,000 charging stations statewide by the end of 2021.
In addition to state funding, Cuomo said the program will also seek to create private-sector partnerships through 2025 to aggressively accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles throughout the state.
The power authority will be launching several new innovative initiatives to co-invest with private sector partners, collaborate with partners on identifying new business and ownership models, and increase customer awareness about electric vehicles and charging.
Over the next seven years, the power authority will commit up to $250 million and partner with the private sector and other key stakeholders to attract longer-term private investment and collaborate on programs that will amplify the Charge NY 2.0 program and address key infrastructure and potential market gaps. The funding will be awarded through the state's competitive procurement process.
The announcement supports the state's implementation of the Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan adopted in 2014, pursuant to the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding, in which nine states now participate. While that Action Plan was focused primarily on cars and small trucks, today's announcement is an example of New York's increasing focus on electrifying trucks and buses — some of the greatest emitters of dirty emissions.
The initial phase of funding, approved on May 22 by NYPA trustees, directs $40 million to be allocated into three primary new programs through the end of 2019, including:
©2018 the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.), Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.