Governor Cuomo Launches $70 Million Electric Car Rebate and Outreach Initiative
Drive Clean Rebate Provides Up to $2,000 for Each Eligible Buyer Supports Governor's Goal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 40 Percent by 2030 Largest Contributor to Greenhouse Gas Emissions is Transportation Sector; Accounts for Nearly 40 Percent of Emissions in New York State
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently launched a $70 million electric car rebate
and outreach initiative to encourage the growth of clean and non-polluting
electric car use in New York and promote the reduction of carbon emissions
in the transportation sector. The Drive Clean rebates are now available
to all New York residents who buy eligible cars through participating
new car dealers.
"Reducing vehicle emissions is a critical part of this administration’s
efforts to fight climate change and reduce New York’s carbon footprint,”
Governor Cuomo said. "These highly-anticipated rebates will make electric vehicles more
affordable and accessible and support this state’s nation-leading
efforts to build a cleaner, greener New York for generations to come."
$55 million of the Drive Clean Initiative is dedicated to rebates of up
to $2,000 for purchase of a new plug-in hybrid electric car, all-electric
car or hydrogen fuel cell car. In addition to the $55 million in rebates,
$15 million will support improving consumer awareness of electric cars
and their many benefits, installing more charging stations across the
state, developing and demonstrating new electric car-enabling technologies,
and other efforts to put more electric cars on New York’s roadways.
The initiative will be managed by the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority and will help the state achieve its goal to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.
More than 30 different types of electric cars are available under the
Drive Clean Rebate initiative. For information on the benefits of electric
vehicles, types of cars and models eligible for rebates and rebate levels,
locations or participating dealers, a map of New York State charging stations,
and directions on home charging options, visit NYSERDA’s Drive Clean Rebate
website. Photos from the announcement are available
here.
“The transportation sector is
the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and electric cars are
helping to reverse this trend,”
Lieutenant Governor Hochul, who attended the announcement at Albany Convention
Center, said, “Governor Cuomo’s Drive Clean Rebate will provide consumers
with vehicle options that are both economically and environmentally conscious.
The increased use of electric cars will play a critical role in helping
New York achieve Governor Cuomo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions 40 percent by 2030.”
Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York Richard Kauffman
said, “Along with a cleaner, modernized electric grid, we cannot achieve
our climate change goals without also supporting new and cleaner technologies
in the transportation sector. This new electric vehicle rebate is the
latest step under Governor Cuomo’s leadership enabling New Yorkers
to take an active role in the fight to clean our air and the state’s
unprecedented commitment to clean transportation will animate the electric
car market in New York State, allowing more people to buy cleaner cars
and help reach the Governor’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction
goal.”
John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA,
said, “This is an exciting initiative that will make it easier for consumers
to choose clean transportation. Electric cars are critical to our clean
energy future, and New York State is committed to accelerating the growth
of these environmentally friendly vehicles as we build a clean, resilient
and affordable energy system under the Governor’s Reforming the
Energy Vision strategy.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Governor Cuomo is making New York State a global leader in the
fight to combat climate change and the Electric Car Rebate and Outreach
Initiative is the latest example of his strong commitment to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from the transportation sector make
up New York’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions—more
than one third of the state’s total. Protecting this planet requires
bold action and the Governor’s rebate initiative will put more electric
vehicles on the road while reducing the emissions that are changing our
climate.”
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas
emissions in the state. Compared to gasoline-powered cars, electric cars
are more energy efficient and cost about 50 to 70 percent less to operate
per mile. Carbon emission savings from cars receiving rebates under this
initiative is expected to be 115,000 metric tons per year, the equivalent
of taking 24,000 cars off the road.
The Drive Clean Rebate initiative is the latest action by Governor Cuomo
to increase the number of electric cars in New York State. Earlier this
month, the Governor announced a new electric vehicle campaign that includes
the installation of charging stations and incentives for employers to
encourage employees to drive electric vehicles. Last fall, he announced
$3 million for rebates through the Environmental Protection Fund for municipalities
to purchase or lease zero-emission vehicles, such as battery electric
and hydrogen vehicles, for their fleets. Over the summer, Sustainable
Hudson Valley kicked off its Drive Electric Hudson Valley campaign to
educate consumers about electric vehicles, which was supported by NYSERDA.
The state has also revised regulations to clarify charging station ownership
rules, and supported research and demonstration projects on new plug-in
electric car technologies and policies. In addition, the New York Power
Authority has invited municipalities to tap into a master contract that
offers better pricing for the supply, installation and maintenance of
charging stations. The Governor also announced previously the availability
of another $3 million to help eligible municipalities and rural electricity
cooperatives purchase electric vehicles for use in their municipal use fleets.
Senator Joseph Griffo, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications
Committee, said, “A consumer rebate for the purchase of electric vehicles –
including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles
and fuel cell electric vehicles – provides a greater opportunity
for choice to consumers who want to drive low emission vehicles. The program
will also help reduce emissions in the transportation sector over time,
while further promoting economic opportunity by keeping dollars for domestic
electricity and sales of EV cars right here in New York.”
Senator Tom O’Mara, Chair of the Senate Environmental Protection
Committee, said, “The ongoing development of clean energy initiatives and strategies
is critical to New York State’s long-term energy future. Consequently,
I’m extremely pleased that we are moving forward with this initiative,
which I sponsored as legislation last year and that was included in the
current state budget, to provide a rebate incentive that we hope will
encourage more consumers to purchase electric and 'zero-emissions'
vehicles.”
Senator Liz Krueger said, "To meet the challenge of climate change, we must take bold and smart
action on many fronts. Our antiquated transportation sector is our largest
source of greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s vital that we move quickly
to transition to new, cleaner, 21st Century technology like electric cars.
The Drive Clean Initiative will help us get there. Electric cars are not
only carbon-free, they’re also cheaper to operate and maintain,
making them a triple win for New Yorkers’ wallets, their lungs,
and the climate we all live in."
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee, said, “The Drive Clean initiative, by establishing a rebate program, conducting
outreach, and installing more charging stations, will encourage and enable
more people to purchase electric vehicles, which is something I strongly
support. Increasing the electric vehicles on the road will go a long way
towards curbing greenhouse gas emissions and reaching New York’s
goal of a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030.”
Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental
Conservation, said, "The Drive Clean rebates will help New Yorkers take an active role
in reducing air pollution and fighting climate change by making electric
vehicles more affordable and accessible. As the Federal Government backs
away from its commitment to action on climate change, it is critical for
states take the lead. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York
is continuing to blaze the path to a sustainable future with initiatives
like the Drive Clean Initiative."
Robert Vancavage, President, New York State Automobile Dealers Association said, "NYSADA, representing 1,000 New York auto dealers, is very appreciative
and commends Governor Cuomo for allowing a rebate for Electric Vehicles
for the benefit of clean air and the environment for all New Yorkers."
Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "If we are to meet our ambitious goals for getting 700,000 zero emissions
vehicles on the road in New York by 2025 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
40 percent by 2030, implementing a consumer tax rebate on ZEVs is simply
essential. We are pleased to see Governor Cuomo implement this important
tool to drive demand, in addition to his growing commitments to build
out a robust network of charging stations."
Sierra Club's New York Electric Vehicles Initiative Organizer Kathleen
Fisher said, “Providing clean, convenient, and affordable transportation choices
will create New York jobs and protect our climate. A consumer rebate for
the lease or sale of an electric vehicle will be one of the best ways
to help New Yorkers drive away climate pollution. With this rebate, Governor
Cuomo, NYSERDA and legislative leaders are ramping up convenient and affordable
transportation options, creating New York jobs and protecting our climate.”
Luke Tonachel, Director of the Clean Vehicles and Fuels Project, Natural
Resources Defense Council said, “Transportation-related emissions are the dominant source of New
York’s greenhouse gas pollution. The Drive Clean rebates can help
accelerate us on the road toward cleaner air, a more stable climate, and
a much-needed transition to pollution-free vehicles. This is another important
step in New York’s clean energy leadership and hopefully more states
will consider similar rebates.”
About Charge NY
Governor Cuomo’s Charge NY initiative will accelerate the growth
of the electric vehicle market in New York State through education, research,
consumer outreach, and financial support for the installation of charging
stations across New York. More than 1,600 electric vehicle charging stations
have already been installed toward Charge NY’s goal of 3,000 charging
stations by 2018. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority,
New York Power Authority and New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation collaborate on this initiative as part of the State’s
goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy
to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building
a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers
by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and
energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the state's electricity
needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven a nearly
800 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000
low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy
efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering,
and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide
greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized
target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV,
including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology
and innovation, please visit
www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at
@Rev4NY.