Long Island EV drivers need more public charging stations, fast
The New York Power Authority’s six new electric vehicle fast chargers are available for the public on Main Road in Southold. Credit: Office of the Governor
Long Island may be getting charged up after all.
A January executive order signed by President Donald Trump pulled the plug on National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure money that had already been approved. New York and 16 other states won a preliminary injunction in June to reinstate the awarded funding to build electric vehicle fast-charging stations. That money — New York's unfrozen share is about $120 million — was part of the bipartisan infrastructure law adopted in 2021 by Congress.
In response to the court ruling, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said his agency revised guidelines that “slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently” build EV charging stations. Duffy criticized the Biden administration's rollout of the program.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office told the editorial board the state would comply with the 30-day deadline to submit its revised EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan to the Department of Transportation. New York was awarded $175 million broken into five annual payments through 2026 to build level 3 direct current fast-charging stations.
Charging an EV at a public fast-charging station allows drivers to travel farther and generally costs drivers more than charging at home. Drivers can find locations online or on apps and pay by credit card swipe.
New York must increase the number of public EV charging stations on the Island — there are 913 in Suffolk and 437 in Nassau. There are more than 81,000 EVs registered in both counties. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority data shows there is one EV charging station in Nassau and Suffolk counties for every 60.3 electric vehicles on the road. For New York City, there is one charging station for every 21 electric vehicles, and in Albany County, there is one charging station for every 5.3 electric vehicles.
Last month, Hochul’s office announced the opening of the North Fork's first high-powered charging hub of six EVolve NY fast chargers in Southold. There already are EVolve NY fast-charging stations in Bridgehampton, Commack, Copiague and Riverhead.
The new and used EV market is hot right now, as buyers race to claim tax credits of up to $7,500 for a new EV and up to $4,000 for a used EV before the Sept. 30 deadline. That means demand for fast-charging stations will surge. Some EV buyers install chargers at home, but the need for available and nearby fast-charging stations remains significant.
Rather than a funding freeze, Duffy’s new guidelines that should allow the money to flow is welcome news. Now, New York must make sure the feds follow through with providing the unfrozen NEVI money. The 81,000 registered EVs on our roads need juice.
MEMBERS OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD are experienced journalists who offer reasoned opinions, based on facts, to encourage informed debate about the issues facing our community.
