New York to provide $12 million to advance EV adoption, power grid integration

New York Governor Kathy Hochul Aug. 3 released a $12 million initiative to advance electric vehicle adoption and power grid integration, with the initiative also aiming to support demonstrations of medium- and heavy-duty electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

"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," Hochul said in a statement.

"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," Hochul said, adding that "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."

The initiative will help the state's transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, along with advancing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requirements to achieve a zero-emission power sector by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2050.

The action will be structured as a competitive program run by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The initiative's goals include:

• Advancing well-managed EV charging infrastructure and reduced grid integration costs
• Improving the economics of EV ownership for residential consumers and commercial fleet managers
• Spurring 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
• Demonstrating medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, either through fuel cell electric vehicles or standard battery operated EVs

Competitive awards

Awards of up to $3 million each will be granted for product development along with technology and business model demonstrations that help reduce power demand peaks and "provide grid benefits through managed charging/discharging that will lower the overall cost of necessary electric grid infrastructure upgrades," the statement said.

The initiative is expected to enhance utilization of existing power grid infrastructure while contributing to broader deployment of zero-emission vehicles throughout New York by completing successful demonstrations of electric and fuel cell vehicles in hard-to-electrify use cases, like heavy on-road vehicles and construction equipment, the governor's office said.

In April, the New York State Public Service Commission kicked off a proceeding to implement policies and programs related to medium- and heavy-duty EV charging infrastructure and planning including proactive investment in the utility infrastructure required to serve transportation electrification, according to the statement.

New York is advancing measures that would have all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero emissions by 2035, along with all school buses being zero emissions the same year.

Concept papers for consideration for full proposal submission under the EV initiative will be accepted through 3 pm on Sept. 12 and funding for the initiative is through the state's 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund.