New York will soon be the home of more than 80 new ChargePoint electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The program is being funded through a $1 million incentive from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The EV charging station installed at The Solaire in Battery Park City is ChargePoint’s first installation of what will be part of a significant NYSERDA EV charging station investment. The Solaire, developed in 2003 by the Albanese Organization is the nation’s first LEED Gold-certified residential building.
“Upgrading the city’s EV infrastructure to new, universal ChargePoint chargers is imperative to the future success of a sustainable society. By working with ChargePoint and NYSERDA to bring new chargers to our LEED-certified rental properties in Manhattan, The Solaire, The Verdesian and The Vanguard Chelsea, the Albanese Organization hopes to inspire more drivers to consider electric vehicles, while providing current adopters with new access to convenient charging locations,” said Russell Albanese, Chairman of the Albanese Organization. “The partnership of ChargePoint and NYSERDA has been an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to make a great contribution.”
Last year, Governor Cuomo announced $4.4 million being awarded to 10 EV companies, municipalities and other entities, including ChargePoint, to bring 325 charging stations to New York. Earlier this year, Governor Cuomo announced Charge New York, a new initiative to promote EVs through investing $50 million over five years. The program calls for investment in 3,000 public and workplace charging stations by 2018, plus other steps meant to encourage the growth of electric vehicle ownership. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has also announced a plan to make up to 20 percent (or 10,000 spaces) of new New York City parking spaces EV-ready over the next seven years.
“New York is laying the foundation to become a leader in the United States for EVs,” said Pat Romano, president and CEO of ChargePoint. “The majority of residents in New York City live in apartments and without this kind of public infrastructure investment, residents would not be able to buy electric vehicles.”