Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $3 million in available funding for municipalities in New York to advance the purchase or lease of Zero Emission Vehicles such as battery electric and hydrogen vehicles. The rebates will be provided through the record $300 million Environmental Protection Fund investment in FY 2017 State Budget, and will help New York meet its commitments under the Multi-State ZEV Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to put 3.3 million ZEVs on the roads in the participating states by 2025. The rebates will also advance the State's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 under Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy.

“New York is a leader in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change," Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will help reduce our carbon footprint by creating climate-resilient communities and is another step toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New York for all.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “We are pleased to provide this important support for municipalities to include clean vehicles in their municipal fleets, and install clean vehicle support infrastructure for public use. Forward-thinking municipalities like our 187 registered Climate Smart Communities are key players in New York’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, “With this funding municipalities can lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and create cleaner communities across the State. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York is aggressively pursuing initiatives like the zero emission vehicle rebate program that will address climate change and protect the environment for generations to come. ”

New York Power Authority president and CEO Gil Quiniones said, “More of our municipal electric customers have already taken aggressive steps to green their fleets. They want to be part of the solution and this program will enable more villages, towns and cities to cut greenhouse gas emissions in an economical way.”

Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Tom O'Mara said, "These rebates are yet another example of how a strong and fully funded Environmental Protection Fund will continue to help the state achieve important investments and goals in clean energy, modern technology and a range of other initiatives that make environmental and economic sense."

Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright said, "These rebates will help municipalities in New York become climate resilient by encouraging investment in Zero Emission Vehicles and the installation of vehicle charging and hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure. As we work toward our emission reduction targets, a network of infrastructure to accommodate the charging and fuel requirements of these vehicles is imperative. I thank Governor Cuomo because the sooner we get the infrastructure in place, the sooner communities can embrace this important technology."

The rebate program will be administered by DEC through the New York State Grants Gateway. Municipalities will be eligible for reimbursement of up $5,000 per vehicle for purchase or leasing of eligible clean vehicles, and up to $250,000 per facility for installation of eligible Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment or hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure. DEC will accept applications for rebates on a first-come, first-served basis through March 31, 2017, or until the funds are exhausted.

A total of up to $750,000 will be available for clean vehicle rebates. Municipalities that purchase a new clean vehicle on or after April 1, 2016 are eligible for the rebate. Rebates of $2,500 are available for vehicles with a 10-50 mile electric range. Rebates of $5,000 are available for vehicles with an electric range greater than 50 miles.

In addition, a total of up to $1,250,000 will be available for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment infrastructure. Costs incurred by a municipality to provide charging stations that offer Level 2 networked EVSE or Direct Current Fast Charging service are eligible for rebates up to $8,000 per port or $32,000 per pedestal. A match equal to 20 percent of the rebate request is required.

A total of up to $1,000,000 will be available for hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure. Costs incurred during the contract term by a municipality to install or contribute to installation of a facility for refueling hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible, with a required match equal to 20 percent of the rebate request.

New York is also advancing other opportunities for consumers and state and municipal governments to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, including an aggregated procurement of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and an aggregated procurement of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment infrastructure through the New York Power Authority.

The Climate Smart Communities program will host a webinar on September 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the ways New York State is supporting municipalities’ efforts to increase adoption of ZEVs. During the webinar, speakers will provide information about ZEV programs that are part of the Environmental Protection Fund, as well as Drive Electric Week events, which start September 10. For details, visit the event listing in the DEC Calendar.

The FY 2017 State Budget includes a record level of $300 million for the EPF, the highest level in the Fund’s history and an increase of $138 million since Governor Cuomo took office.

For questions about municipal clean vehicle/ZEV infrastructure rebates, email ZEVrebate@dec.ny.gov or contact DEC’s Office of Climate Change at 518-402-8448.