NEW YORK, NY, August 17, 2026– New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that $35 million in competitive state funding is now available for public sector entities to purchase, install and operate Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on publicly owned land across the state.
The funding runs through a newly created initiative called Charge Ready NY, Large Public Sector Project program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), under Program Opportunity Notice 6141. Funding is drawn from the state’s $2 billion Sustainable Future Program, under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
Under the PON 6141 regulations, NYSERDA is to provide grants starting from the lowest limit of $1 million and going as high as the cap of $15 million per project chosen. Applicants in the public sector, such as municipal governments, New York State agencies, public authorities, and SUNY/CUNY, can be covered by the grants for up to 80% of the total eligible EVSE purchase and installation cost.
The proposal submission period opens with a strict application deadline of October 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. NYSERDA will host an informational applicant webinar on September 15, 2026, to review program requirements and technical criteria under RFQL 5312.
“As we continue to lead the way in building a cleaner, more connected transportation system, New York must have a vast network of charging stations that are convenient to reach and easy and affordable to use,” Hochul said in announcing the program. “By investing in much-needed public charging options, we are giving New Yorkers more confidence to drive an electric vehicle and reduce their exposure to volatile gasoline prices while improving air quality in our communities.”
The issuance of PON 6141 leverages already available state facilities. By the end of July 2026, there will be more than 21,000 state-owned Level 2 and DC Fast Charging Facilities alongside more than 331,000 registered EVs in New York State. The $35 million funding will be an addition to the ongoing Charge Ready NY 2.0 initiative (PON 5367) by NYSERDA that received $15 million of direct funding in February 2026, providing incentives of $3000-$4000 per plug.
Environmental leaders and transportation advocates welcomed the targeted public sector focus.
New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe highlighted the economic and climate benefits of expanding public charger networks: “Expanding access to EV charging is critical to building a cleaner transportation future for New York. This investment will help more New Yorkers make the switch to electric vehicles by addressing one of the practical barriers to EV ownership, while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and cutting harmful transportation emissions. With gas prices continuing to strain household budgets, investments like this give New Yorkers a cleaner, more affordable way to get where they need to go.”
Zero Emission Transportation Association Executive Director Albert Gore III emphasized how strategic public Level 2 placements drive consumer confidence: “Charging flexibility is one of the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle, and Level 2 chargers at good locations are a key part of this flexibility. Of course, this requires infrastructure to be in place when and where drivers need it. That is why accelerating the build-out of charging infrastructure, including Level 2, is so key to growing the number of EVs on the road and developing a strong American EV industry.”
The growth is perfectly aligned to statutory requirements that have been made under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of New York (CLCPA). The framework of the climate requires an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2050, all passenger cars should be zero-emission by 2035, and at least 40% of benefits from the clean energy program should go to historically marginalized communities.
