ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today expanded the types of electric vehicles eligible to participate in Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.’s (Con Edison) off-peak electric vehicle charging program, SmartCharge NY. The expansion will allow Con Edison to offer incentives to participating customers who charge medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles during off-peak hours. Transportation generates the largest share by sector of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New York State, and the diesel-powered medium- and heavy-duty sector accounts for a disparate share of total automobile pollution. The expansion of the Smart Charge NY program should facilitate significant carbon emissions reductions to help meet the goal of reducing GHGs by 40 percent by 2030.

“Encouraging the purchase and use of electric vehicles is an important element to meet our clean-transportation goals and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Commission Chair John B. Rhodes. “Electric cars are more energy efficient and cost significantly less to operate per mile than gasoline- or diesel-powered cars. Charging electric vehicles at night will not only save electric vehicle owners money on their electric bill, it will help utilities better manage the grid.”

This expansion of the existing program will allow Con Edison to test and monitor customer response to incentives designed to encourage off-peak charging for a new subset of EVs, which are not currently eligible to participate, and whose operational needs are significantly different than the light-duty EVs that can participate in the current program. Further, expanding SmartCharge NY should facilitate significant carbon reduction and local air pollution benefits as the predominantly diesel-fueled medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are replaced by low- and zero-emitting EVs.

Ongoing electrification of the transportation sector is a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in support of New York State’s carbon reduction policies. Extending SmartCharge NY to medium- and heavy-duty EVs will further expand the range of benefits currently demonstrated by the existing program, which applies only to light-duty EVs.

Expanding the program will also allow Con Edison to investigate coordinated charging strategies and customer response to EV charging rates and incentives for larger EV classes with special operation considerations, including accommodating the greater power demands of large fleets with larger batteries, as well as time-of-day and geographical charging issues determined by inflexible operating schedules, charging terminals, and routes.

The Commission’s decision complements New York’s Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) plan, which calls for creating state-wide electric vehicle infrastructure to support the state’s goal to have 30,000 to 40,000 in EV sales by the end of 2018 — an attainable goal from the 26,470 EVs currently registered in New York — and 10,000 charging stations by 2021. Emissions-free electric vehicles are also a key component of New York’s 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050 GHG emissions reduction goals.

The Commission’s action also complements New York’s $250 million electric vehicle expansion initiative, EVolve NY. In addition to state funding, EVolveNY seeks to create private sector partnerships through 2025 to aggressively accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles throughout New York State. This major investment plan aims to expand fast charging infrastructure and make EVs more user-friendly for all New Yorkers. In addition, the Commission’s decision comes amidst National Drive Electric Week, September 8-16, 2018, a nationwide celebration to heighten awareness of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, and motorcycles.