New York pushes electric vehicles

8638198650_e6ca0f3b10_b

A new program under New York state’s Charge NY electric vehicles initiative is trying to get more people driving electric cars. The Electric Vehicle-Enabling Technology Demonstration Program offers a total of $2 million to help fund research and demonstration projects related to electric vehicles. The program will also include research around improving local electric vehicle infrastructure.

CivSource has previously reported on electric vehicle initiatives underway in several states. Electric vehicle use has seen broad support from state governments in the Northeast as traffic congestion, and subsequent pollution is a big problem for the country’s largest cities like Boston and New York. Today, there are approximately 640 public EV charging stations in New York State, with more than 5,000 electric vehicles operating across the state. Most are privately-owned, personal vehicles.

The new demonstration program seeks applications from entities such as universities, research centers, and technology-based businesses and manufacturers conducting research in and development of EV technology. The program is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

NYSERDA is specifically interested in projects that will study and/or demonstrate existing technologies, or combinations of technologies, and strategies that have not been applied to the market or have not been demonstrated in New York.

The Governor’s Charge NY initiative aims to create a statewide network of up to 3,000 public and workplace charging stations over the next five years to accommodate an anticipated 40,000 plug-in vehicles on the road. The initiative is being spearheaded by NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority.