To Accommodate Eco-Friendly Autos
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that $4.4 million has been awarded to 10 companies, municipalities and other entities to enable more than 325 new electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations to be installed across the state.
New York State’s electric-vehicle charging stations are supported by a joint effort by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)’s Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Demonstration Program and the U.S. Department of Energy.
“With New Yorkers facing higher prices at the pump, the state is stepping up to make owning an electric vehicle an affordable and convenient option,” Cuomo said. “Creating an infrastructure to accommodate electric vehicles will create jobs and new economic development across the state, while reducing our carbon footprint and helping protect the environment.”
New York’s transportation sector has considerable potential for energy efficiency, the governor stated. Transportation makes up about threefourths of the state’s oil consumption, and nearly 40 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, NYSERDA received a $1 million U.S. Department of Energy grant on behalf of the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a collaboration of the transportation, energy, and environment agencies of 11 northeast states and Washington, D.C. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
The goal of the initiative is to accelerate the introduction of EV charging stations throughout the northeast making the region a hub for electric vehicles through public and private partnerships. President Barack Obama has called for one million plug-in vehicles to be on the street nationwide by 2015.
“Sky-high gas prices and tight budgets have left many New Yorkers struggling at the pump, but there is hope in new technology, like electric cars, that can free us from our dependence on foreign oil,” said Sen. Charles Schumer. “By finally making electric cars more accessible to the general public, we are taking a huge step towards giving consumers another viable and affordable transportation option, and I’m proud to have fought for money for this program from the U.S. Department of Energy.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand added, “In this tough economy we need a do-itall approach that expands our energy portfolio to provide middle class New Yorkers with relief at the pump. By creating an infrastructure for electric vehicles, we can cut energy costs, cut pollution to protect the air we breathe, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil which strengthens our national security.”
NYSERDA will also be managing a $10 million fund that offers vouchers of up to $20,000 per vehicle for the purchase of EV commercial trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
EV charging station projects announced last Wednesday, June 6, include:
– Car Charging Group Inc.- Plans to install charging stations at up to 15 high-traffic locations in New York City, directed toward apartment dwellers who do not have parking at home. Sites would go in parking garages that are used primarily for monthly parking. NYSERDA funding: $200,000.
– New York Port Authority-Plans to install seven experimental charging stations for fleet vehicles and public use that practice demand-response (aligning charging times with times of low power demands, reducing charging cost and impact during peak demand to the grid). NYSERDA funding: $720,000.
– New York Power Authority- Plans to install 124 charging stations at train and bus stations, airports and municipal parking lots. Three sites would be powered in part through onsite solar power. NYSERDA funding: $989,000.
Another round of the program is currently underway with proposals due July 25. Visit www.nyserda.ny. gov/en/Funding-Opportunities/Current Funding-Opportunities/PON- 2301-2011-Electric-Vehicle-Supply- Equipment-EVSE-Demonstrationand Support-Program.aspx for more information.
