New York-based energy company Con Edison recently announced it plans to invest up to $25 million in efforts to test strategies to increase electric vehicles (EVs) in the region by making charging more convenient and practical.
Con Edison is currently looking for innovation partners to work on demonstration projects to help test its plans of placing at least 100 publicly available charging stations in New York and 500 chargers in the homes of participants for testing.
Partners for the public chargers will be asked to develop ideas on how to deploy 208-volt chargers within the unique environment of New York’s streets, while partners for home chargers will be asked to determine the proper way to incentivize drivers to charge at times of low-power demand.
Other project input requested includes planning vehicle charging networks, charging city buses, and charging school buses.
“We expect to see many more electric vehicles on the streets the next few years,” Craig S. Ivey, president of Con Edison, said. “We think we have a big role to play in making this change smooth for drivers and our customers who rely on us for reliable, affordable power. Count us in for sharing the unique expertise we have as the energy provider in New York City and Westchester County.”
Con Edison is a long-standing proponent of EVs and the positive impact they have on the environment as well as the diminished need for expensive infrastructure upgrades.
“Avoiding the worst impacts of climate change requires a transformation in energy use across sectors,” said Daniel Zarrilli, senior director for Climate Policy & Programs and Chief Resilience Officer for the New York City Mayor’s Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the shared commitment of Con Edison and the city to reducing our carbon footprint from vehicles, and puts us farther along on the path to creating a more just, resilient, and sustainable city.”