By Bill Parry
The City Council, looking for ways to make the city greener, voted unanimously on a measure that creates a pilot program for electric car charging stations in public areas and municipal parking lots. The program will encourage the use of electric vehicles and help reduce carbon emissions citywide.
According to a Mayor’s Office of Sustainability study, almost 25 percent of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the over two million vehicles.
“With an incoming presidential administration that has pledged to undo our nation’s efforts to combat climate change, cities and local governments must now lead the way on protecting our environment,” the bill’s sponsor, City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria), said. “New York has already been a worldwide role model in sustainability and we must continue to keep this work a top priority.”
The two-year pilot will consist of charging stations at up to 25 locations across the city, with at least two of the stations in each of the five boroughs. The city Department of Transportation will post the location of the charging stations online.
An advisory committee will be established to report on the program’s cost, the rate of utilization of each charging station, recommendations for expansion, the feasibility of on-street charging, and any other recommendations regarding electric vehicle charging stations.
“Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular transportation options, and it is our responsibility as a city on the forefront of innovation in sustainability to make sure that our infrastructure matches that demand,” Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) said. “Our commitment to an environmentally friendly New York City includes implementing renewable measures across the board, and this charging station pilot program is a great step towards enhancing the options available to move our residents around.”
Constantinides, the chairman of the Council’s Environmental Protection Committee, believes the program will encourage more New Yorkers to make the switch to electric cars. Most of the existing charging stations are in residences or private parking garages.
“While the city has made tremendous strides to set the example by greening its own fleet, private electrical vehicle registration in New York City remains low,” New York League of Conservation Voters President Marcia Bystryn said. “Consumers are still concerned about getting stuck without a place to charge their car and that is among the biggest barriers to increased adoption rate.”
She said the bill would help to rectify that situation and encourage the build-out of a robust citywide charging system.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
