NYS Public Service Commission approves utilities EV charging infrastructure programs
The New York State Public Service Commission approved the electric vehicle charging infrastructure programs for the state’s investor-owned utilities.
It is part of the EV Make-Ready program, which directed the utilities to develop managed charging programs to provide customers with an alternative to the whole home time-of-use (TOU) rates already in place. Managed charging programs and TOU rates incentivize charging at the most beneficial times for the grid, potentially extending the estimated benefits of EV deployments to more than $5 billion through 2030.
“I am proud to say New York leads the nation in clean energy innovation to combat climate change and bring environmental justice to impacted communities,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Today’s action brings us one step closer to a greener, emission-free future and expands upon the benefits of electric vehicle ownership by providing added savings at a time when New Yorkers need it the most.”
The EV Make-Ready program provides funding to support more than 50,000 new public and commercial Level 2 charging ports capable of charging a vehicle at least two times faster than a standard wall outlet and 1,500 public DC (direct current) fast charger ports in New York. Before this initiative, there were 4,571 publicly accessible chargers statewide. This program will increase that number more than tenfold.
The EV Make-Ready program is funded by major investor-owned utilities in New York State. This includes Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, National Grid, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation.
“As the adoption of EVs increases throughout the State, well-designed EV managed charging programs will provide essential benefits to the utility and transportation sectors. By providing EV drivers with incentives for beneficial charging behavior, along with resources that makes charging hassle-free, the managed charging programs will create a win-win for EV drivers in the form of lower fuel costs and the grid in the form of reduced infrastructure costs,” Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian said.
