NY lawmakers unveil legislation to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure
NEW YORK: Two state lawmakers unveiled legislation Tuesday to expand electric vehicle infrastructure across New York.
Assemblywoman Pat Fahy and Sen. Liz Krueger are proposing new rules to require the installation of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure in newly constructed or renovated commercial and residential buildings.
The goal is to ensure there is enough electric infrastructure to ensure the state can accommodate Gov. Kathy Hochul’s commitment for the state to phase out sales of gas-engine cars by 2035. The state is currently chasing a benchmark to have 850,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025.
“New York must accelerate the electrification of its transportation sector if we’re to meet our ambitious climate emission goals laid out in the [Climate Change and Community Protection Act],” Fahy said in a statement.
“It’s projected the state needs 73,000 Level 2 plugs and 2,600 fast-charging plugs by 2025 to support other transportation-sector targets, yet currently only about 600 fast-charging plugs and roughly 6,000 Level 2’s have been rolled out,” she went on. “By requiring more EV capable and ready charging stations across our building stock, we’re placing New York on a fast track to meeting its ambitious climate and emission goals.”
Under the legislation, new commercial buildings with between two and 10 parking spaces would be required to ensure all spaces are electric vehicle “capable” — meaning some additional infrastructure would be needed for those spots to be activated. Of those spaces, 20% would actually have to be equipped with at least a level 2 charging station.
Similar regulations would be put in place for residential buildings.
“In spite of all the actions New York State has taken to confront the climate crisis, we are still behind the curve,” Krueger said in a statement. “The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state, and many parallel approaches will be required to transform it.”
Source: audacy
