State announces multi-million dollar investments in charger infrastructure
By Chloe Bennett
As of April 2023, New York had registered 139,222 electric vehicles among a national growth in cars that aren’t solely powered by fossil fuels. Most chargers for the cars are installed downstate with a scattered few in upstate regions, including the North Country. Now, more chargers are on the way.
As part of its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is looking to electrify its transportation sector to achieve an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, a state Department of Environmental Conservation report says.
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Last month, the state announced it is awarding communities $8 million to develop electric vehicle infrastructure. Below is a list of Adirondack towns that will receive portions of the money.
RELATED: Increase in charging stations makes electric vehicle use more feasible in the park
Chargers will be installed before Sept. 30, 2024, according to the state’s application guidelines.
- Town of Ausable: $14,675 for two Level 2 charging ports
- Town of Chesterfield: $37,525.45 for two Level 2 charging ports
- Town of Indian Lake: $236,686.50 for two direct-current fast charger pedestals
- Town of Jay: $53,292 for six Level 2 charging ports
- Town of Newcomb: $49,452.50 for six Level 2 charging ports
- Town of Tupper Lake: $17,200 for two Level 2 charging ports
Charging stations explained
The types of EV charging stations:
Level 1 Chargers: This is the equivalent of plugging into a regular outlet, like the kind you have in your home. It’s the slowest way to charge, and usually delivers two to five miles of range per hour.
Level 2 Chargers: This type of charging is a step up, and is the most common one found at public charging stations or at workplaces. It can deliver about 10 to 20 miles of range per hour.
Level 3 Chargers: This is the gold standard of charging. Also known as “DC Fast Chargers,” these chargers can deliver 60 to 80 miles of range in 20 minutes.
(Information from https://www.energy.gov/)
The speed of level 2 chargers will guarantee people stay a long time. Put near restaurants and stores, and will be good for those at least!
At the rate restaurants and stores are closing in NY the 8 million would have been much better spent to help cut taxes for small businesses. What a waste of money.
Good news, but as an EV driver I see the real need being Level 3 chargers.
Totally agree as an EV owner.
We need more level 3 chargers and they must be maintained.
i live 6 1/2 hours from the adk. i vacation there 4 times a year and spend a good amount of money to your local economy. i will not buy a electric car and spend half my vaction time and money charging a car. ev”s are a good idea for some , but not me.
Public grants for level 2 need to stop. Unless staying somewhere for more than 4 hours, at a time, they are not useful. They are perfect for campgrounds/hotels/houses/camps, and these are locations that do not need public grant money to install them.
There are two major corridors without any fast charging that prevents driving in the from west and south-west of the park. Old Forge and Tupper Lake really could use DC fast chargers. We drive our EV everywhere but the Adirondacks as we can not make it in to say Raquette Lake and back out without charging. Similar when coming in via route 3. Good to see Indian Lake marked for two DCFCs. Hopefully it’s in the Blue Mountain Lake part of town. Old Forge and Tupper really still need chargers though.
EVs in the Adirondacks are going to be a challenge for a while. Once the stations are built, they will be clogged with lines during peak usage hours (eg Friday afternoon), then sit nearly idle for the remainder of the week. And things will be worse if they are not reliable.
Racquette Lake is only like 75 miles from fast chargers in every direction… What EV are you driving that doesn’t have enough range to make it there and back?
The expansion of electric vehicle charging stations in the Adirondacks is a positive development. It not only encourages sustainable tourism but also contributes to reducing emissions in a beautiful natural environment. This initiative showcases how regions can embrace electric mobility while preserving their unique landscapes.
Good news! Agreed that investment needs to be made for Level 3 chargers, but I would think once the infrastructure is in place, upgrading from Level 2 to Level 3 charging stations would be an easy jump (and perhaps one that would make sense for the private sector to do on their own).
Stayed in Inlet with my son this past week because charger availability is poor in other well-trafficked areas of Central and Western ADK. Completely agree that fast chargers are needed along route 28 in the park, as well as on the route through speculator. Indian lake is being wise in bringing fast charging there, as that will draw EV owners to town and encourage them to spend locally.
The town of indian lake has received $236k for the installation of 2 dc chargers to be installed by Sept 2024. That date has come and gone and I see no evidence of anything being built. Where did the money go? Where are the chargers?