Summary

This legislation amends the Finance Law by adding a new section, 19-a, which requires construction projects that receive state capital funding and include a garage or parking lot with 50 or more parking spaces to make the parking facility capable of supporting EV charging stations. For parking garages, the infrastructure must be capable of supporting at minimum 3.1 kW of capacity at each potential charging station. For open lots the facility must be able to support at minimum 11.5 kVA of energy with at least 3.1 kW available at each potential charging station.  

Explanation

This legislation requires certain construction projects which utilize state capital funding that include parking lots and garages be capable of supporting electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.  

New York has the most aggressive climate change law in the nation, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which requires an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2050, as well as a transition to 70 renewable energy by 2030. With the transportation sector accounting for the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, reducing vehicle emissions will be a critical component of achieving the CLCPA goals. New York has already made commitments to reducing transportation related emissions by accelerating EV ownership through EV rebate programs and by expanding public charging options throughout the state. Even with these programs EV ownership must accelerate for the state to achieve the goal of 850,000 EVs on the road by 2025, as less than 10% of this goal has been achieved to date.  

In order for customers to feel comfortable transitioning to an EV they have to know that they can charge the vehicle. There are many people who do not have the ability to charge a vehicle in their homes, which is why investment in publicly accessible charging stations is necessary. By requiring certain construction projects that have garages or parking lots to be capable of EV charging, there will be more available charging options for the public. The Public Service Commission recognized the critical role that publicly available charging stations play in increasing EV ownership and has established a “Make Ready” order which directs utility companies to make investments in publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure. This bill would help the State align with the direction of the Public Service Commission by requiring certain state-funded construction projects to be EV ready.  

Download PDF