ALBANY, NY (April 19, 2025) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced on April 18, 2025, that $30 million is now available to support New Yorkers leasing or purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) through the state’s Drive Clean Rebate program. The initiative offers point-of-sale rebates of up to $2,000 for over 60 new EV models, aiming to make electric driving more affordable and reduce transportation-related pollution.
“New York’s leadership in driving the adoption of electric vehicles is helping consumers stay within their budget when purchasing or leasing a new electric car,” Hochul said. “Along with increased savings, we are building out the infrastructure needed to provide hard-working New Yorkers convenient access to charging, helping to reduce range anxiety and make it easier to drive electric.”
The Drive Clean Rebate program, managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), provides rebates at participating dealerships across all 62 counties, with higher amounts for longer-range, all-electric vehicles. Since 2017, the program has issued over 190,000 rebates, contributing to more than 280,000 EVs on New York’s roads.
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Converting to EVs reduces the total cost of vehicle ownership through lower fuel and vehicle maintenance costs and NYSERDA is proud to help provide New Yorkers with more purchasing power through these rebates.”
To enhance charging accessibility, the Charge Ready NY 2.0 program has increased incentives for Level 2 charger installations at multifamily buildings and workplaces, including hotels, from $2,000 to $3,000 per port, and up to $4,000 per port in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, $3 million is allocated for sites hosting “ride and drive” community events, purchasing or leasing EVs, or offering free charging. In the past year, Charge Ready NY 2.0 has supported over 1,000 Level 2 charger installations, adding to the state’s 17,000 public chargers and 4,000 semi-public stations.
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “New York State has made significant progress in developing the infrastructure to enable the electric vehicle transition, promoting cleaner transportation and reducing emissions statewide.” The Power Authority’s EVolve NY network currently operates 240 fast chargers at 56 locations along major corridors, with plans to reach 400 by 2026. A new 12-charger station at LaGuardia Airport is under construction and expected to open by August 2025.
New York Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Promoting electric car ownership and use is a win for consumers and a win for the environment.”
The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) is also advancing electrification, with nearly 600 charging ports on state property and 600 more planned. OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “The OGS team is proud to be leading the implementation of Governor Hochul’s mandate to convert the state’s fleet to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles.”
The announcement coincides with the 2025 New York International Auto Show, running from April 18 to April 27 at the Javits Center, where NYSERDA and NYPA are showcasing EV incentives and charger programs. New York is investing nearly $3 billion to electrify transportation, targeting zero-emission passenger cars, trucks, and school buses, supported by initiatives like EV Make Ready, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, and the New York School Bus Incentive Program.