Guide to Electric Vehicles in New York

• How Many EVs Are There in New York?
• Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in New York?
• EV registration, licensing, and fees in New York
• New York EV charging network

How Many EVs Are There in New York?

When it comes to EV adoption, New York has seen huge growth since the launch of the Charge NY initiative in 2013. Charge NY works with key state and federal agencies - like NYSERDA, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) - to electrify the state and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.

Here are a few quick facts about EV registrations in New York:

• As of June 2023, there are 150,143 electric vehicle registrations in New York, including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). This number makes up 4.8% of the total number of vehicles registered across the state.
• The most popular EVs on the state’s roads are Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3.
• In 2021, New York had the fourth-highest EV inventory in the nation.
• New York is the second state to implement the zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) law on all new vehicle sales by 2035.

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in New York?

Yes, there are electric car rebate programs and incentives in New York to benefit the citizens that drive green. If you’re thinking about getting an electric
vehicle, doing it now allows you to take advantage of the financial support available while also helping the environment.

These include:

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program – You can receive up to $2,000 when you buy or lease a new eligible EV.

• Alternative Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit – The electric car tax credit in New York offers an income tax credit of up to $5,000 for 50% of the alternative fueling infrastructure cost to certain corporations. This can be applied to EV charging stations or equipment and any unused credits can roll over into future tax years.

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Rebate –
  This program is for the purchase and installation of public and private Level 2 EV charging stations and offers $4,000 per port, with an additional $500 for disadvantaged communities.

• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption – Until September 2025, if you drive an eligible electric vehicle, you can use the Long Island Expressway (LIE) HOV lanes, no matter how many people are in your car. You must apply for a Clean Pass vehicle sticker first.

In addition, New York has EV incentives in place to help counties, cities, towns and villages switch their vehicles to electric, including heavy-duty ones like buses or trucks. These projects also support the installation of EV charging stations.

EV registration, licensing, and fees in New York

Under the New York Vehicle Inspection Program, all-electric vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections.

Although there are no additional fees to register an EV in New York, a pre-registration safety inspection is a must.

Usually, you would expect to pay more to insure an electric car because buying and repairing an EV is pricier.

New York EV Charging Network

Currently, there are 3,582 public electric car charging stations across New York, featuring AC Level 1, AC Level 2, or DC Fast Charge charging ports. There are plans for an additional 800 fast charging stations installed by EVolve NY through 2025.  

Some Level 2 public chargers are free to use, while others charge a fee. Costs vary depending on the type of charger. A DC fast charger is the most expensive and you’ll pay around 35 cents per kWh, so filling a Tesla Model 3 from
almost empty would cost you around $24. You can pay via a mobile app/chargingnetwork account or by card. Charging at home is the cheapest way to fuel up your EV.

When you buy or lease an electric car, look out for any charging credits at certain stations as some manufacturers offer them as part of the deal. You can also learn how to charge your EV for less and save some money.

There are plenty of advantages to buying or renting an electric vehicle in New York. The state’s incentives and infrastructure are a step forward in EV adoption.

Check out more articles on EVs by visiting the Hertz blog. You can learn the history of electric vehicle technology, find out when EVs might overtake gas-powered vehicles and much more.