Governor Kathy Hochul announced $28.5 million in federal funding to expand electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations across New York State, but the Finger Lakes region won’t see any investment from this latest round. The funding, part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, will focus solely on areas south of Interstate 84, including the lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.
The initiative aims to improve access to reliable charging infrastructure along busy travel corridors and is expected to boost EV adoption by addressing concerns about charging availability. However, while regions downstate will benefit from this new investment, residents and travelers in the Finger Lakes will have to wait for future funding opportunities.
“This critical federal NEVI funding supports New York State’s ongoing leadership to invest in a network of electric vehicle fast chargers, particularly in areas downstate that face heavy traffic,” Governor Hochul said. The governor emphasized the need for quick, reliable charging to encourage EV use and reduce vehicle pollution, but the lack of funding for upstate regions like the Finger Lakes leaves a significant gap in the state’s charging network.
Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the Downstate Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) program will prioritize locations along major highways such as Interstates 87, 95, and 495. Proposed sites must be within one mile of designated Alternative Fuel Corridors and must operate 24 hours a day.
The Finger Lakes region, which frequently serves as a travel hub and tourist destination, was notably left out of this funding round. This omission comes despite prior upstate investments announced in September, when $21 million was allocated for EV chargers along corridors north of Interstate 84, including areas west to Buffalo and north to the Canadian border. Those proposals are currently under evaluation.
EV advocates in upstate New York have expressed concerns that uneven investment could hinder the state’s overall goal of expanding EV adoption. Reliable charging infrastructure in regions like the Finger Lakes is seen as critical to supporting both local residents and the influx of tourists who travel to the area each year.
New York State has been allocated $175 million under the federal NEVI program, and the current plan is part of a broader effort to electrify the transportation sector. While this latest $28.5 million investment will boost downstate infrastructure, the absence of immediate plans for the Finger Lakes highlights ongoing disparities in funding distribution.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer praised the program, noting that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is “supercharging new electric vehicle charging stations across New York.” However, for residents in the Finger Lakes region, the lack of infrastructure investment remains a pressing issue that could delay progress in clean transportation goals.
Proposals for this round of funding are due by March 18, 2025, with NYSERDA hosting informational webinars in January and February. The state plans to continue expanding its network of EV chargers, but when or if the Finger Lakes region will receive dedicated funding remains uncertain.
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