Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
According to NYSERDA's Electric Vehicle Registration Map updated on February 2, 2023, there are 6,490 electric vehicles (EV) registered in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties, including 2,674, all electric vehicles and 3,816 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The most popular EV on the road in CNY is the Toyota Prius Prime PHEV.
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Chevrolet Bolt utilizing EV charging station installed at Jordan Village Hall
Municipalities across New York are installing EV charging stations to provide a public benefit to residents and boost tourism by helping to reduce “range anxiety” people may have when deciding whether to purchase EVs.
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On June 22, 2023, the CNY RPDB and National Grid hosted an Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Webinar that discussed the benefits of considering EVs and charging stations, state programs related to EVs and charging stations, and funding opportunities. The webinar recording can be found here, and the slides can be found here.
In the spring of 2022, the CNY RPDB created county maps showing public charging stations and EV registrations by zip code. Areas with higher levels of registered EVs but few charging stations may be good locations for municipal investment in additional charging stations. These maps were updated in the spring/summer of 2023 and included below.
The CNY RPDB can assist municipalities to access state and utility incentives to defray the cost of charging station installations. Municipal parks, parking lots, garages and other frequently-visited facilities make good locations for charging stations.
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The 2023 Onondaga County map is below. Click on the links below for the 2023 Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, and Oswego County maps.
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Cayuga County map Cortland County map Madison County map Oswego County map
EV 101
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs) use electricity either as their primary fuel or to improve the efficiency of conventional vehicle designs. The use of plug-in electric vehicles can result in substantial reductions of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and is an important strategy for meeting the goals of the VisionCNY Regional Sustainability Plan.
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Charge NY is a New York State initiative to get more electric cars and trucks on the road. Click here to see various rebates and tax credit opportunities available through Charge NY.
HEVs are primarily powered by an internal combustion engine that runs on conventional or alternative fuel and an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery. The battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine and is not plugged in to charge.
PHEVs are powered by an internal combustion engine that can run on conventional or alternative fuel and an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery. The vehicle can be plugged into an electric power source to charge the battery.
EVs use a battery to store the electric energy that powers the motor. EV batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle into an electric power source. EVs are sometimes referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
PHEVs and EVs can reduce fuel costs dramatically because of the low cost of electricity relative to conventional fuel. Because they rely in whole or part on electric power, their fuel economy is measured differently than in conventional vehicles. Miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (mpge) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles are common metrics. Depending on how they’re driven, today’s light-duty EVs (or PHEVs in electric mode) can exceed 100 mpge and can drive 100 miles consuming only 25-40 kWh.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) offers tools about alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. You can use the tool below to calculate annual fuel cost and greenhouse gas emissions for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles compared to your current vehicle.
NYSERDA also provides an EV Calculator tool online to help you decide if an electric vehicle is right for you. The tool can be found at https://nyserda.wattplan.com/.
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Public charging stations are not as ubiquitous as gas stations, but charging equipment manufacturers, automakers, utilities, Clean Cities coalitions, municipalities, and government agencies are establishing a rapidly expanding network of charging infrastructure. The US now has about 18,000 public electric vehicle charging stations, offering about 50,000 outlets.
You can find alternative fueling stations near you by address or ZIP code, or along a route anywhere in the United States using the tool below.
EV Permitting and Zoning
EVs and PHEVs represent a new demand for electricity and supply equipment. Utilities, vehicle manufacturers, charging-equipment manufacturers, and government officials are working to ensure that EVs and PHEVs are smoothly integrated into the U.S. electricity infrastructure.
The installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), commonly known as “charging stations,” is a new and unfamiliar procedure for many electrical contractors, planning and zoning boards, and code enforcement officials in Central New York. It is important to note that there is a distinction between residential and commercial EVSE installations.
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Residential Systems (Level 1 EVSE)
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Wall-mounted (Typically installed inside a garage)
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Can be connected to a single standard breaker in the electrical panel
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Can provide a full battery charge in 8 to 22 hours
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Require power equivalent to that of a typical household receptacle (110V outlet)
Commercial Systems (Level 2-3 EVSE)
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Typically free standing
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Can provide a full battery charge in 3 to 8 hours
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Require power equivalent of an electric stove or clothes dryer (240V)
The residential permitting process, while similar to other large electrical appliance installations, can be unique and involves considerations specific to EVSE and plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging safety.
Commercial installations may involve more complex installation processes (e.g., trenching, laying conduit, adhering to Americans with Disabilities Act requirements) and should include additional safety precautions and warning labels to protect users and curious observers.
The newness of EVSE permitting and the still developing market have resulted in a haphazard assortment of permit prices, inspection wait times, and code/standard requirements. NYSERDA and the Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board (CNY RPDB) believe that planning and zoning efforts are critical with respect to preparing communities for long-term sustainability and ensuring permanent and continually decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in NYS.
The CNY RPDB can provide guidance to municipalities to establish EVSE residential installation permitting. For additional resources, visit our Resource Library.
Rebates
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For Charging Stations
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​Municipalities that install a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station with two charging ports will earn their communities credit for the Clean Fleets action, one of the High Impact Actions included in NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities program. Rebate/incentive programs for charging stations include:
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Utility Make Ready Rebate
Utility Make Ready programs are currently available to offset up to 90% of the infrastructure costs associated with preparing a site for EV charger installation (does not cover costs of the charger itself).
Charging stations located within disadvantaged communities can have 100% of the infrastructure costs covered. For National Grid territory, disadvantaged communities are defined on this map. For NYSEG and RG&E territory, disadvantaged communities are defined on this map.
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Charge Ready NY
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Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the new Charge Ready NY initiative provides a $2,000-4,000 rebate per Level 2 charging port depending on station type/location (highest incentive is for public ports within NYS Disadvantaged Communities).
EV charging station installed at North Syracuse's Fergerson Ave. public lot. The Village took advantage of the Charge Ready NY rebate to help pay for this installation
To learn more about the rebate, visit https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/ChargeNY/Charge-Electric/Charging-Station-Programs/Charge-Ready-NY.
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ZEV Infrastructure Rebate
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Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) and ZEV Infrastructure grants are often available through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Check the DEC's website for availability information.
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Grants are available to municipalities that installed (or will install) hydrogen filling station components or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that is Level 2 or direct current fast charge (DCFC).
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The EVSE must also be included as qualified in one of the following lists:
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The NYSERDA Charge Ready NY Program: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/%20ChargeNY/Charge-Electric/Charging-Station-Programs/Charge-Ready-NY/Qualified-Charging-Equipment-and-Networks
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The New York State Office of General Services EVSE and Network Services State Contract: https://online.ogs.ny.gov/purchase/spg/awards/4040423035CAN.HTM
A variable 0-20% local match based on median household income is required. Stations located within a disadvantaged community area (DAC) require 0% match, regardless of median household income. Maximum grant amount for any facility (location) is $250,000 and to any one municipality is $500,000. There is no minimum award amount. Charging hubs consisting of multiple units are eligible.
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NOTE: The NYSERDA ChargeReady Program and the DEC ZEV Infrastructure program may NOT be utilized together for the same EVSE installation project.
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Applications for both ZEV programs are only available through the New York State Grants Gateway.
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For EVs
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​Municipalities that deploy at least one plug-in hybrid or battery-electric vehicle in their fleet will earn their communities credit for the Clean Fleets action, one of the High Impact Actions included in NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities program. Municipalities can receive credit for both light/medium duty EV deployment and heavy duty EVs. Rebate/incentive programs for EVs include:
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ZEV Rebate
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Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) and ZEV Infrastructure grants are often available through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Check the DEC's website for availability information.
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Rebates are available to municipalities that purchase (or lease for a minimum of 36 months) an eligible clean vehicle placed into municipal service at a dealership in New York State.
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Plug-in hybrid, all-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with a 50- to 100-mile electric range are eligible for a rebate of $2,500; vehicles with a 101- to 200-mile electric range are eligible for a rebate of $5,000; and vehicles with an electric range of 201 miles and over are eligible for a rebate of $7,500.
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NYSERDA Drive Clean Rebate
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NYSERDA's Drive Clean Rebate is a point-of-sale rebate towards the purchase or lease of a new electric car. Purchase a qualifying electric car from a participating dealer, and a discount of up to $2,000 (depending on the vehicle’s electric range) will be applied when you pay.
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New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program
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The New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program provides discounts to fleets that purchase or lease all-electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, plug-inhybrid electric, conventional hybrid electric, compressed natural gas, or propane medium- andheavy-duty vehicles (weight class 3 through 8) and scrap a similar older diesel vehicle that is part of their fleet.
Central New York EV Charging Station Plan
The objective of the Central New York EV Charging Station Plan is to recommend strategies for supporting current and future electric vehicle (EV) drivers travelling within the region and between NYS regions. Since EVs have a more limited range than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that use petroleum fuels, the most critical area of support is providing charging opportunities to EV drivers. Therefore, this Plan identifies gaps where public infrastructure is not currently available in the region to support EV drivers and recommends charging station installations in key locations to establish a comprehensive charging network. In addition to more charging stations, this Central New York EV Charging Station Plan also outlines critical implementation barriers for charging station installations or EV adoption and recommends strategies for addressing them.
A number of initiatives have recently been undertaken to support EV readiness nationally (through the Department of Energy Clean Cities EV readiness grants), within NYS (chiefly through efforts by NYSERDA), and even locally in some cases. This EV Charging Station Plan, along with the process to create it, is one of the first opportunities to discuss and document EV charging infrastructure at the regional level. NYSERDA and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) sponsored the project to develop this plan, which also created four other plans for the other regions along the Interstate 90 corridor.
Incorporating EV charging station planning into broader local and regional planning processes can help ease the adoption of the new technology. EV charging station planning is complex because of the different factors considered by drivers when planning trips, including the different types and speeds of EV charging stations. Educating decision makers and key stakeholders is critical.
EV charging station installed at Brooklea Drive/Elm Street lot in the Village of Fayetteville as part of the CNY EV Charging Station Implementation project
EVs can save money and reduce air pollution in New York State. Compared to gasoline-powered cars, EVs are more energy efficient and cost 50-70% less to operate per mile. A large portion of New York’s electricity grid is powered by clean low-carbon energy sources (not oil or coal), allowing EVs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants that cause smog and acid rain. New York State has prioritized EV market development support through its ChargeNY initiative.
More EVs will be utilized by Central New York residents in the near future because they provide benefits for the entire community. While current EV adoption rates are too low to pursue any charging station mandates or regulations, gradually expanding the charging network in the region and supporting the recommended strategies to help our communities become more EV-ready will prepare us for the future. Even today, attracting EV drivers from other areas of the state can complement the efforts to promote tourism in the Central New York. EVs also attract highly educated and technology savvy individuals who can help drive our emerging technology industries.