In June, Governor Andrew Cuomo launched EVolve NY, a new initiative to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption in New York. The program, launched in partnership with the New York Power Authority, will provide $250 million to install EV charging infrastructure across the state. This initiative supports Governor Cuomo's goal to install 10,000 EV charging stations in New York by 2021.
Both Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Hochul want to enable New Yorkers to travel across the state in an EV without worrying about where they will be able to recharge their car. The first phase of EVolve NY funding will support the installation of 400 DC fast chargers at airports, parking lots, train stations, and other key transit locations. It will also install 200 chargers at 30 mile increments along interstates. In addition, EV model communities will be constructed over the course of seven years, in an effort to test new EV infrastructure and programming models. The second phase of EVolve NY will transition New York City buses to zero emissions vehicles.
Governor Cuomo is a strong proponent of electric vehicles and other technology that will decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, he authorized the Drive Clean Rebate program in the Empire State, which led to an uptick in EV purchases by 67 percent compared to the year before. Governor Cuomo is also working to strengthen relationships with private industry, with the goal of spurring EV adoption by expanding public awareness about EV potential, and making the market more affordable. Governor Cuomo's EV program is just one part of his statewide approach to energy, called Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), which aims to decrease New York emissions levels 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.