New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $12 million initiative to support the development and demonstration of innovative, replicable solutions that advance electric vehicle adoption and the integration of electric vehicles with the electric grid. The initiative also seeks to support novel demonstrations of medium- and heavy-duty electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. In addition to supporting the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, this announcement advances the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requirements to achieve a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 and reduce emissions 85 percent by 2050.
“As New York continues to advance toward a zero-emission future, it’s imperative that we continue to improve the affordability of clean transportation ownership as we scale up a resilient and reliable energy grid,” Governor Hochul said. “This $12 million initiative offers an innovative way to do both — exploring and supporting options for vehicle charging infrastructure that also provides energy back to the grid. We are committed to making it possible for both residents and companies to transition to owning and charging electric vehicles — building a greener future for all.”
Through this competitive program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the State seeks to:
- Advance well-managed electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and reduced grid integration costs;
- Improve the economics of EV ownership for residential consumers and commercial fleet managers;
- Spur research and innovation that supports widespread deployment of EVs as a beneficial asset to both EV owners and grid operators including combining EVs with bi-directional charging, energy storage, and on-site energy generation; and
- Demonstrate medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, either through fuel-cell electric vehicles or standard battery operated EVs.
Concept papers for consideration for full proposal submission under this new initiative will be accepted through 3:00 p.m. on September 12, 2023. For those selected to move forward, the deadline for full proposal submission is November 8, 2023. A second round of funding may be issued in early 2024 if all funds are not awarded in the first round. To learn more, please register for the informational webinar on August 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. For additional information and associated documents, visit NYSERDA’s website.
New York State aims to rapidly remove barriers to economy-wide electric vehicle deployment including advancing equitable access to clean transportation in historically marginalized communities which face disproportionate air pollution and health impacts from tailpipe emissions and pollution. In April, Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Public Service Commission initiated a proceeding to implement policies and develop programs related to medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure and planning including proactive investment in the utility infrastructure required to serve transportation electrification. The adoption of the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation in December 2021 also supports an increase in the number of medium- and heavy-duty ZEV models available as purchase options for vehicle purchasers and fleets.New York State’s $1 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector is vital to meeting the state’s sweeping climate and clean energy plan. New York is rapidly advancing measures that all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero emissions by 2035, along with all school buses being zero emissions the same year. The state has a range of initiatives that grow access to electric vehicles and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, the Drive Clean Rebate and the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP).
NYSERDA’s Grid Modernization Program, is providing a total of $133 million through 2026 to further research, develop, and provide funding for innovative solutions that support the advancement of a smart, modernized electric grid, remove barriers, and enable the utility investments necessary for full deployment at scale of advanced technologies for the power grid. Since 2016, NYSERDA’s Grid Modernization Program has awarded approximately $65 million under 111 contracts to grid technology companies and research organizations for projects including low-cost, high-accuracy grid sensors, modeling and simulation tools, and advanced engineering solutions for more effective integration of renewable energy resources. Learn more on NYSERDA's website.
Funding for this initiative is through the state’s 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund. More information about this funding is available on NYSERDA’s website.
Editor's Note: The 2023 Commercial Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Conference, a one-day event that precedes T&D World Live 2023, will bring together key players from the Commercial Fleet market, the Utility market, and Regulators to facilitate discussion, exploration, and collaboration on how to build the infrastructure necessary to support the evolution and transformation of Commercial Electric Vehicles. It will take place on Sept. 12 in Sacramento. Visit https://events.tdworld.com/2023/CEVIC for more information.
