New York increases e-mobility budgets yet again
Today’s budget increase agreed by the state’s Public Service Commission PSC included expanding the fast charging program target from 1,500 to 6,302 DC charging stations, along with higher incentive levels to accelerate the build-out of EV charging infrastructure across New York.
Moreover, the state wants to support charging infrastructure for e-bikes, electric scooters and other electric (micro) mobility forms in disadvantaged communities throughout New York.
Said lower-income communities also saw the sharpest increase in budget to $372 million in funding from the previous budget of $206 million. That is an increase of 81 per cent across several programs and shall ensure “all New Yorkers benefit from the investments in clean transportation,” writes the Governor’s office.
Also today, the medium- and heavy-duty make-ready pilot budget designed for commercial customers more than doubled to $58 million. This is alongside simplified rules for applicants regarding eligible costs and vehicles, again targeting emission reductions in disadvantaged communities. The PSC expects the modifications to the medium- and heavy-duty make-ready pilot to “unlock investment in this important sector and generate critical experience for fleet owners and utilities. “
Staying in the commercial sector, the Commission also approved new beneficial charging rates for business customers separately. Under the new programs, commercial EV charging will be eligible for rebates or subsidies of up to 50 per cent of the demand charge costs – that is, the cost per kilowatt of peak demand – on their delivery bills. Commercial EV-charging customers in downstate New York will also be eligible to participate in new managed charging programs with a view to grid balancing. (Private customer initiatives were launched in 2022.) However, according to the PSC, the programs are still under development in upstate New York and are expected to be available in 2024.
New York expects the programs announced today to stimulate $4 billion in total investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure by inspiring private-sector investment. This has been part of the EV Make-Ready scheme launched by Hochul’s predecessor Andrew Cuomo in 2020 from the start. The programme then banked on a public-private partnership with utilities and charging equipment manufacturers expected to help install 50,000 AC and 1,500 DC charging stations in the US state by 2025 through cost-sharing.
In April, New York already earmarked $8.3 mn in funding for 255 charging stations. A few months later, the state announced investing $29 mn in Level 2 charging infrastructure. Specifically, the state added $15 mn to the ‘Charge Ready NY 2.0’ scheme. It covers up to 50 per cent of the installation cost for chargers at workplaces, apartment buildings and public facilities in disadvantaged communities. Chargers can be funded up to 2,500 dollars in the latter’s case. Chargers at places of work and residential buildings are eligible for up to $2,000.
The US state will also receive nearly 40 million dollars in federal funds to increase the number of fast-chargers in New York, as reported. About half of the NEVI funding will close gaps along major highways.
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