Reporting by Thomas C. Zambito, New York State Team/Rockland-Westchester Journal News
New York state is offering $35 million so government agencies and state universities can build electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on their property to address “range anxiety” that’s contributed to plunging EV sales.
Funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will reduce purchase and installation costs for state agencies and authorities, local governments and state and city universities to install charging stations available to the driving public.
“By investing in much-needed public charging options, we are giving New Yorkers more confidence to drive an electric vehicle and reduce their exposure to volatile gasoline prices while improving air quality in our communities,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
EV charging station concerns and disparities in NY
State auto dealers blame customer concerns with electric charger availability for hurting EV sales in New York. Expiration of federal tax credits last year has also played a role.
Statewide, new EV registrations plunged last year after a high of 91,000 in 2024 following years of steady growth, NYSERDA figures show. Registrations dipped to 84,000 in 2025 and are on pace to be even lower this year, with 25,000 registrations through the first six months.
Nearly two-thirds (211,000) of New York’s 331,000 EV registrations come from a downstate region that includes the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland and Westchester counties. The region has over 8,300 chargers.
“Strategically expanding electric vehicle charging on publicly-owned property is an opportunity to maximize existing assets while bringing reliable charging to more communities in New York,” said Doreen Harris, who heads the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
How agencies in NY can access electric vehicle charging station funds
Interested agencies have until Oct. 20 to submit proposals to the Charge Ready NY — Large Public Sector program. Funding could cover as much as 80% of costs to buy and install chargers. An informational webinar will be held on Sept. 15.
Project awards have a $1 million minimum and a $15 million maximum and can be used for multiple sites.
“This investment will help more New Yorkers make the switch to electric vehicles by addressing one of the practical barriers to EV ownership, while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and cutting harmful transportation emissions,” said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
For more information on the program, go to the Charge Ready NY page at nyserda.ny.gov.
Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA TODAY Network’s New York State team. He’s won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that’s included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@lohud.com
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News.
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