NEW YORK, October 12, 2026 – New York state agencies added 483 zero-emission vehicles to the light-duty state agency fleet in fiscal 2024-25, bringing electric models to 10% of that total. It’s a modest milestone, but it signals wider operational shifts. The achievement represents just one piece of a statewide overhaul transforming how government facilities operate, how vehicle fleets are managed, and how public dollars get spent under official environmental directives.
The 14th annual Greening New York State report, released Sept. 30, details 77 state agencies and authorities that fall under Executive Order 22. The executive order, which was signed in 2022, directs agencies to reduce energy usage and emissions, reduce waste, and make sustainability part of procurement and operations.
Energy savings and purchasing
State facilities have already shaved off 9.8 trillion BTUs of energy through targeted efficiency upgrades. These projects include LED lighting, heating and cooling improvements, geothermal systems, and improved building management systems. Agencies have reported projects that meet the 11-trillion-BTU BuildSmart 2025 energy-saving goal ahead of the December 31, 2025 deadline. These numbers reflect reported energy savings, however, and shouldn’t be mistaken for statewide greenhouse gas reductions.
Public dollars are driving big changes. New York invested $188 million in products and services adhering to GreenNY specification guidelines, which incorporate environmental considerations into the public procurement process.
The state reports recycling 94% of its construction and demolition waste. An embodied carbon report was completed for the first time. As part of that effort, agencies filed 52 Environmental Product Declarations to track the supply chain footprint of building materials. Reported concrete mixes have a 27% to 52% reduction in global warming potential compared to standard guidelines.
A progress report, not a final score
The latest numbers show real momentum, but they don’t mean New York has crossed the finish line. Executive Order 22 lays down long-term objectives such as achieving a zero-emission light-duty fleet by 2035 and a zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty fleet by 2040. The mandate also requires all operational power to come from clean energy systems by 2030.
Reaching 10% electric vehicles in the state’s fleet shows genuine progress, but it also reveals that much of the fleet uses gas for its energy. The annual report provides a status on what’s happening, but the true challenge will be maintaining the pace.
Beyond tailpipe emissions and building efficiency, the report tracks biodiversity protection, waste reduction, and non-toxic purchasing. This signals a deliberate attempt to weave sustainability into everyday government routines rather than relying solely on high-profile energy projects.
For taxpayers, the report offers a transparent look at how public money is being spent—showing whether sustainability goals are delivering real, measurable results.
