CALSTART, a national clean transportation organization, has announced “Charge to Work,” a first-of-its-kind EV Workplace Charging initiative to increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the greater New York City area. Charge to Work encompasses a multifaceted, three-year marketing and outreach campaign that seeks to engage over 100 businesses to encourage employees to replace their conventional gasoline vehicles with clean and highly-efficient EVs.
Announced by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Charge to Work supports the governor’s Charge NY program, which is accelerating the growth of the electric vehicle market in New York State through education, research, consumer outreach and financial support for the installation of charging stations across New York. Charge to Work promotes a smart growth solution by offering attractive incentives to employers and their employees to reduce the costs to EV adoption, promote clean air, and expand New York’s EV network. By participating in Charge to Work’s innovative outreach campaign, employers are eligible to receive rebates to install Level 2 EV charging ports at the workplace; and employees can receive incentives to help buy down the costs of EVs and discounts for EV charging at work. The goal is to spur 450 electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of 132 Level 2 EV charging ports.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded $1.7 million to CALSTART and its partnership to develop and implement the one of a kind EV Workplace Charging initiative. Charge to Work is an important partnership between CALSTART, NYSERDA, the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York City EV Task Force, ChargePoint, ABM, Empire Clean Cities and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management.
“CALSTART is proud to be working with NYSERDA and its partners to launch Charge to Work,” said John Boesel, President and CEO of CALSTART. “Lack of awareness, cost and infrastructure are the critical barriers to EV adoption and Charge to Work takes these barriers head on.”
John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, “By having electric vehicle charging stations at work locations, we are making it easier for New Yorkers to make the switch to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles will reduce the State’s carbon footprint and help us meet Governor Cuomo’s clean transportation goals ensuring a healthier environment for generations to come.”
Hitting the streets in spring of 2017, CALSTART and its Charge to Work partnership will conduct outreach, hold ‘Ride and Drives,’ and collaborate with New York’s forward-thinking businesses throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and Westchester. “We believe Charge to Work is an EV Workplace Charging initiative that can be replicated throughout communities in New York and the Northeast,” said Alycia Gilde, Northeast Regional Director at CALSTART. “Charge to Work not only incentivizes EV adoption, but fosters a community culture for partnership and sustainability.”
