New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced $342,500 in grants were awarded to 17 municipalities across the state to purchase or lease zero-emission light- and medium-duty fleet vehicles as part of DEC’s Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Program. The addition of these vehicles to municipal fleets is helping reduce greenhouse gas pollution in support of New York’s  Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).

“New York is committed to reducing pollution, particularly from the transportation sector, by investing in electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure to help reduce pollution and bolster efforts to reach our climate targets,” said Interim Commissioner Mahar. “The ZEV Rebate Program makes it more affordable for communities to green their fleets, reduce fuel costs, and save taxpayers money. DEC is pleased to support and work with local governments taking the lead to help clean our air and improve the health of our communities with cost-effective EVs.”

The DEC Municipal ZEV Rebate Program continues to support municipal efforts to mitigate climate change. The 2024 round of the program is making 17 awards to municipalities to support the purchase of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Since its inception in 2016, the ZEV Rebate Program has awarded a total of more than $1.8 million, including this round, to municipalities for electric vehicles.

Recipients of the 2024 rebate awards are: 

• City of Beacon, $15,000 for two battery electric vehicles.
• City of Binghamton, $15,000 for three battery electric vehicles.
• Village of Croton on Hudson, $20,000 for three battery electric vehicles.
• Town of East Hampton, $25,000 for four battery electric vehicles.
• Erie County, $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle. 
• Village of Hastings on Hudson, $10,000 for one battery electric vehicle and one hybrid electric vehicle. 
• Town of Indian Lake, $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle.
• Village of Irvington, $22,500 for three battery electric vehicles.
• Village of Montour Falls, $5,000 for one battery electric vehicle. 
• City of New Rochelle, $30,000 for four battery electric vehicles.
• Town of Oneonta, $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle. 
• City of Plattsburgh, $45,000 for six battery electric vehicles.
• Village of Pleasantville, $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle.
• Village of Sackets Harbor, $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle. 
• City of Schenectady, $30,000 for four battery electric vehicles.
• Tompkins County, $80,000 for 11 battery electric vehicles.  
• Town of Westport, $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle. 
  

Among the many environmental victories in the Governor’s 2025-26 Executive Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed to maintain the historically high level of $400 million in Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) funding. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers.   

More information about the DEC Municipal ZEV Rebate Program is available on DEC’s website.  

In September 2024, Governor Hochul also announced $5.5 million in funding available for ZEV infrastructure grants that support the installation of level 2 and DCFC charging stations as well as hydrogen fuel filling station components to expand access to electric vehicle charging options as part of DEC’s Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grants program. The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2025. Additional information can be found in the request for applications (RFA) document. Applications are available through the Consolidated Funding Application under the title “2024 Municipal ZEV Infrastructure Grants.” 

New York State's Climate Agenda 

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. 

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA.