The governor’s office has announced that $35 million in taxpayer dollars is now available for public sector entities to install and operate Level 2 electric vehicle chargers in New York. 

The money is being funneled through the state’s new Charge Ready NY — Large Public Sector Project program. 

The state claims that this initiative will reduce purchase and installation costs of electric vehicle chargers, expand consumer access to charging at public sites and reduce air pollution in communities across the state. 

However, according to a September 2025 story by the Adirondack Explorer, electric vehicles (EVs) only make up about 2.3% of all registered vehicles on the road in New York State. The story said that because total population figures include non-drivers and children, direct per capita ownership is lower, with roughly 622 electric vehicles per 100,000 residents (about 0.6% of the total state population).

The competitive Charge Ready NY – Large Public Sector Project program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides taxpayer funds to public sector entities including New York State agencies and authorities, local governments and state or city university systems, to install Level 2 charging stations on publicly-owned land for use by the general public. 

Selected projects will be awarded a minimum of $1 million and a maximum of $15 million to install electric vehicle chargers at one or more sites.

Proposers may request up to 80 percent of eligible documented purchase and installation costs of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). 

Proposers must also work with original equipment manufacturers, white-labeled models and network service providers approved by NYSERDAthrough RFQL 5312: Charge Ready NY 2.0 Equipment and Network Qualification Process to be eligible for and receive funding. 

Proposals are due on Oct. 20, 3 p.m. 

A complete list of all eligibility rules and evaluation criteria can be found at the solicitation summary on NYSERDA’s website.

NYSERDA will host a webinar on Sept. 15, 3 p.m. to provide more details on the solicitation, project requirements and the application process.