What to Expect with Charge Ready New York 2.0
Phase 2 of New York’s Charge Ready program launched on July 19, 2023 and expands the EV charging infrastructure across the state. Charge Ready New York 2.0 will increase the number of installations of Level 2 chargers at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings (MUD), and public facilities in New York State. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will invest $29 million in Charge Ready NY 2.0. This is yet more encouraging news for New York EV drivers, whose number passed 150,000 in June 2023. Registration for new EVs increased by 231% from 2021 to 2022, offering a fresh solution in a state (like so many) where gas and diesel emissions are the leading cause of pollution.
What Is Charge Ready 2.0?
Charge Ready NY 2.0 is the much-anticipated sequel to 2018’s Charge Ready NY. The original project kickstarted EV adoption with $17 million in statewide funding and $4,000 in rebates for any business that installed Level 2 charging stations.
The second phase, Charge Ready NY 2.0, is even more ambitious, with $29 million in funding and rebates. The goal is to install more than 50,000 new public and workplace EV charging stations by 2025 and help New York State achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Investing in Disadvantaged Communities
The latest phase of the program is designed to encourage and incentivize small businesses, non-profits, transportation companies, MUDs, and municipal/state public facilities to invest in Level 2 charging stations.
To qualify for funding, public sites (such as parks and recreation centers) must be located within Disadvantaged Communities (DAC). Private businesses and MUDs qualify regardless of location but those in DACs are eligible for an additional $500 incentive per charging port. By focusing on disadvantaged communities, the program will address the disproportionate impact of vehicle emissions on these neighborhoods.
The New Program in Detail
According to the guidelines set out by the NYSERDA, funding will cover 80% of the hardware and installation costs of charging stations. The following conditions and funding limits apply:
Incentives are provided on a per-port basis according to location type and size, and whether the station is located in a DAC.
Public facilities: Up to $4,000 per charging port (must be in DAC)
Workplace or MUD: Up to $2,000 per charging port, plus an additional $500 per port if charging equipment is within a DAC.
Bonus incentives are also available to workplace and MUD owners who promote EV adoption among their business fleets or employees/tenants.
Note that this program is stackable with other NY Joint Utility Programs.
How Rebates Work
Incentives will be paid upon completion of charging equipment installation, subject to the appropriate documentation being supplied by the equipment owner or equipment installer acting on the owner’s behalf.
The process
1. Sign up to participate in Charge Ready NY 2.0
2. Select an eligible charging station and network service provider (such as EV Connect).
3. If applying before charging station installation, you must submit a pre-installation application to NYSERDA, after which you will have 180 days to install your station following approval. The following documents must be submitted:
Building permit
Installation quote (at least one)
Signed site host agreement, equipment owner agreement, and installer agreement
4. If your charging station is already installed, you can submit all documents in one submission. Final documents for approval are listed in the Program Implementation Manual.
5. Once the charging station installation is complete and all documents submitted (and approved), you will receive your incentive from NYSERDA.
Note that Charge Ready NY 2.0 rebates can be combined with State and Federal tax credits for installing charging stations. This program is stackable with other NY Joint Utility Programs and can be leveraged to provide additional funding toward any required infrastructure upgrade at the charging site.
Key Restrictions That Apply to Installations
In line with the overarching objective of this second-phase program, it’s important to remember that rebates only apply in the following circumstances.
For public facilities (eg. parking lots, government buildings, public libraries)
Must be located within a Disadvantaged Community (DAC)
If on municipal property, the cost to park at an EV-only space must not exceed the going municipality on-street parking tariff.
At least 20 parking spaces must be available to the public, 12 hours a day, for at least 5 days a week.
For private facilities (eg. MUDs, workplaces)
To be eligible, MUD locations must have 10 or more connected housing units or single-family homes. Those with more than 25 connected housing units are considered large sites.
Workplaces must have 20 or more employees. Those with more than 100 employees are considered large sites.
A minimum of 4 connectors must be installed for a small site and a minimum of 10 connectors for a large site.
Given that the average weekly driving distance for New Yorkers is 228.3 miles, which is well within the median driving range of an EV, it’s not range anxiety that is holding back EV adoption. But domestic Level 1 chargers cannot do all the heavy lifting. As with most states, there’s an urgent need for public charging infrastructure (Level 2 and DC). In this respect, Charge Ready NY 2.0 is a significant step forward in establishing a forward-thinking EV infrastructure and supporting EV adoption statewide.
EV Connect is an approved partner for organizations looking to install EV charging stations and take advantage of incentives like the Charge Ready NY 2.0 program. With deep expertise in charger hardware, software, and incentive programs, EV Connect simplifies the entire process. Our experienced team handles everything from assessing program eligibility and submitting applications to choosing certified hardware and ensuring smooth installation. Our flexible software also enables setting customized pricing plans to maximize ROI. With robust charger management tools and premium driver support, EV Connect delivers a complete, turnkey EV charging solution to accelerate electrification.
Contact EV Connect today to learn more.