Krueger, Fahy Introduce Bill Dramatically Expanding Future EV Infrastructure Build-Out to Help Meet Transportation-Sector Climate Goals

Albany - State Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced the expansion of Assm. Fahy's legislation (A.3179-A Fahy/S.7406 Krueger) to dramatically expand the growth of the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure. The legislation institutes requirements for EV-ready (equipped with a charging station) and EV-capable infrastructure in newly constructed or renovated commercial and residential buildings. New York lags far behind its goal of getting 850,000 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road by 2025; as of October 2020, only 56,000 ZEVs were registered in the state.

In 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation phasing out sales of gas-engine cars by 2035, requiring all new sales of passenger cars and trucks to be 100% zero-emission starting that year, in line with meeting ambitious emission targets under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by cutting the impact of the state’s largest emissions contributor; the transportation sector. In order to meet its climate goals, New York must accelerate the electrification of its transportation sector.

The legislation applies only to newly constructed buildings and buildings undergoing major renovations. Covered one-to-three-family homes with off-street parking will be required to have one EV capable parking space, while multi-family homes with between two and ten parking spaces will be required to have at least 75% EV capable spaces and at least 20% of spaces equipped with a charging station. Multi-family homes with more than ten parking spaces will be required to have 100% of spaces be EV capable, with at least 40% of spaces equipped with a charging station.

Additionally, commercial buildings with between two and ten parking spaces must have 100% of spaces be EV capable, with at least 20% of spaces equipped with at least a Level 2 charging station, and those with more than ten parking spaces must have 100% of spaces be EV capable, with at least 40% of spaces equipped with at least a Level 2 charging station.

“In spite of all the actions New York State has taken to confront the climate crisis, we are still behind the curve,” said State Senator Liz Krueger. “The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state, and many parallel approaches will be required to transform it. Electrification of private vehicles is critical, but it can only be achieved with sufficient charging infrastructure in place. This bill will speed up the buildout of EV chargers across our state, and ensure that they will be more accessible to more New Yorkers across the income spectrum.”

“New York must accelerate the electrification of its transportation sector if we’re to meet our ambitious climate emission goals laid out in the CLCPA,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy. “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. 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.”

“We know that range anxiety is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to switching to electric vehicles. That’s why we need bold legislation to ensure we have the charging infrastructure necessary for a clean transportation future. We thank Assemblymember Fahy and Senator Krueger for expanding their legislation to require EV-ready and EV-capable infrastructure in newly constructed commercial and residential buildings. We’re looking forward to working together to pass this bill next session in order to encourage the switch to EVs and reduce transportation pollution across the state,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV).

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