In spite of a recent critical audit by the state comptroller’s office, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) contends that it is on track to meet its goal for installed fast-charging stations for electric vehicles as part of the EVolve NY initiative. In its audit, the comptroller’s office claimed NYPA failed to install chargers where they […]
In spite of a recent critical audit by the state comptroller’s office, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) contends that it is on track to meet its goal for installed fast-charging stations for electric vehicles as part of the EVolve NY initiative.
In its audit, the comptroller’s office claimed NYPA failed to install chargers where they are most needed by the drivers of the nearly 50,000 registered electric vehicles (EVs) and left nearly half of the state’s counties without NYPA-installed charging stations.
“Compared to what was promised, the rollout of electric vehicle chargers has been a disappointment so far,” State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a release about the audit.
NYPA, however, stipulates that it is on track to deliver the promised charging stations as outlined in EVolve program, which began in 2019. According to Paul DeMichele, NYPA Media Relations and Corporate Communication Manager, the program’s goal is to install 200 fast chargers across the state in areas where there currently aren’t any charging stations.
This differs from the audit’s main complaint that NYPA didn’t install the chargers where EVs are concentrated around the state. The audit noted Suffolk County has 7,916 EVs — more than any other county — yet has just three NYPA public charging stations. The audit also contended that Westchester County, where NYPA is based, has more NYPA public charging stations than any other county at 44. The audit also noted that 30 counties that are home to 6,189 EVs don’t have any NYPA-placed charging stations.
According to the audit, NYPA installed just 277 public EV charging ports but established another 221 workplace non-public charging ports at its own facilities and at facilities operated by businesses receiving power from NYPA’s economic development power programs.
Other findings in the audit include:
• one of the EVolve phase-one projects, including installing the 200 high-speed chargers, were completed by the 2019 deadline;
• nly 29 high-speed chargers were installed at seven locations, putting NYPA two years behind schedule; and
• YPA didn’t use charging data to determine locations that are popular and might benefit from more charging stations.
In a statement released to the media, NYPA said it will take relevant recommendations into consideration.
“Despite numerous complexities that remain in the EV charging arena, including interconnection issues, site identification, and economic challenges, NYPA has made significant progress in installing chargers across the state,” the statement read. “In fact, NYPA was successful in expanding its authority to install chargers at non-government sites. Furthermore, NYPA is actively working with state agencies and key stakeholders to identify and remove barriers that continue to hinder fast-charging deployment statewide.”
The main contention of the audit findings, DeMichele says, is that the purpose of EVolve is to install chargers where needed to ease “long-range anxiety” that might keep EV owners from traveling longer distances due to fear of not being able to charge their vehicles when needed.
NYPA didn’t need to install the chargers where people who own EVs live, he says, but rather in places where people with EVs might want to drive but do not due to anxiety about charging.
With that thought, NYPA looked to the state’s natural travel corridors to place fast chargers that can get a vehicle back on the road quickly. The Thruway (I-90) corridor was a natural choice, DeMichele says, but with a planned redesign of a number of rest stops, the Thruway Authority opted to go with another EV charging-station provider.
NYPA turned its sights toward other travel routes, DeMichele says, and is about two months away from installing its 100th charger.
Around Central New York, NYPA has several chargers installed in the Syracuse area as well as in Binghamton. Chargers are also in progress for the New Hartford, Cortland, Ithaca, and Oswego areas. More information about EVolve NY including current and upcoming charging sites can be found at evolveny.nypa.gov.