Highlights
- Second Federally Funded NEVI EVolve NY Site; Fifth Location Hosted by Mirabito Convenience Stores
- Four New Chargers Help Expand New York's EVolve NY Network to Prepare State for Fully Electrified Transportation System and Advance State's Nation-Leading Clean Energy Goals
Four new fast chargers for electric vehicles are now available at a Mirabito convenience store in Richmondville, 50 miles west of Albany in Schoharie County, through a collaboration with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Conveniently located on Route 7, just off I-88, the site is New York State's second location funded by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, which is helping states build fast charging stations along major highways to make it easier for EV drivers to charge when traveling long distances. New York is electrifying its transportation sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance its nation-leading clean energy goals.
"Electric vehicles are critical to New York's clean energy future and together with our partners we are building a strong EV charging network that will support a fully electrified transportation system," said Justin E. Driscoll, the Power Authority's president and CEO. "With the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's support and the collaboration of the private sector, we are leading the transition to zero-emission travel and serving as a model for other states looking to reduce their carbon footprints."
The Power Authority collaborated with the NYSDOT to direct the state's first installment of NEVI funds approximately $20 million into the further expansion of NYPA's EVolve NY fast charging network to fill in gaps along federally designated travel corridors. As announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in October, New York State will receive a total of $175 million in NEVI program funding over five years.
Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Governor Hochul has made it clear that a robust and reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure is vital for the environmental future of the Empire State. Thanks to the NEVI program created under the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation we are driving towards a greener and more sustainable New York and in the process, reducing our dependance on fossil fuels. When we eliminate gaps in the electric vehicle charging network by creating new consumer options for electric vehicle owners, we are reducing consumer anxiety while advancing our rapidly growing renewable energy sector and paving the way towards a brighter future for all New Yorkers."
A Bank of America site in Kingston opened in December as one of the first federally funded fast charging stations in the nation. A third New York NEVI-funded site is scheduled to open in North Hudson in Essex County in the Adirondack Park in the spring.
Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO, NYSERDA said, "The new NEVI fast chargers in Richmondville add to New York's robust and growing network of charging infrastructure across the state. This milestone shows how together state and federal resources allow more residents and visitors to access charging which in turn encourages drivers to embrace clean cars that reduce emissions and air pollution."
Richmondville is the fifth EVolve NY site hosted by Mirabito convenience stores, an energy retailer with more than 100 locations in Central New York. EVolve NY chargers are currently hosted at two locations in Syracuse, and stores in Oneonta and Binghamton. Agreements have been signed for additional locations expected to come online in the next two years in Parish in Oswego County, Ithaca in Tompkins County, and Bainbridge in Chenango County. Those will add to the 156 EVolve NY ports at 40 sites already located along major travel corridors and in urban hubs. A total of 39 ports will be located at 10 Mirabito stores by 2025. The latest site in Richmondville is operated by Electrify America.
Joe Mirabito, president and CEO of Mirabito Energy Products, said, "For more than 95 years, Mirabito has been a leader in the field of energy solutions, providing sustainable and accessible energy to local communities. From coal, heating oil, gas, and propane to our latest additions of biofuels and electric charging stations, Mirabito continues to prioritize the needs of our customers. This dedication ensures that we not only keep pace with evolving energy demands but also make the future of energy both convenient and affordable."
The new Evolve NY Direct Current Fast Chargers can charge capable electric vehicles in as little as 20 minutes. The Richmondville station, on the Electrify America network, is equipped with fast charging connectors four combined charging system (CCS) plugs rated up to 350 kilowatts (kW) and one CHAdeMO connector rated at up to 100 kW so almost all electric vehicles, including Tesla cars with adapters, can plug in.
Aaron Young, senior manager of commercial networks and fleets at Electrify America, said, "In collaboration with the New York Power Authority, Electrify Commercial proudly pioneers the advancement of EV infrastructure in New York State. Our dedicated commitment as a crucial contributor to NYPA's mission is helping provide fast and convenient charging solutions for EV drivers throughout New York."
In 2022, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation adopted regulations requiring all new passenger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs sold in New York State be zero emission by 2035. The regulations will help decarbonize the state's transportation sector and advance the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for emissions to be reduced 85 percent by 2050.
State Senator Peter Oberacker said, "Diverse energy options are key to our future and ensuring that all regions of the state receive equal attention is one of my leading priorities. Building up the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicles, especially in rural areas, is critical. I am pleased to see federal dollars earmarked for Richmondville to help increase EV charging capabilities."
State Assemblyman Chris Tague said, "The addition of these fast chargers for electric vehicles will open up a world of possibilities for our rural upstate communities. New groups of people will be able to make long trips upstate, which will boost our economy. Richmondville is just the start and I will not let our community fall behind in the modernization of our state."
New York State currently hosts 1,350 public fast chargers at 326 locations, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. The chargers range in speed from 25 kW to 350 kW which equates to varying charging times.
EV owners can locate public chargers using smartphone apps such as EV Connect,Electrify America, PlugShare, ChargeHub, ChargeWay, ChargePoint, EVGo, Livingston Charge Port, Google Maps, or the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. For a map showing EVolve NY chargers, click here. Note that the EVolve NY chargers operate on the Electrify America and EV Connect networks. Credit cards are accepted to charge; no subscription or membership needed.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $46 billion in 65 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York's climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
