Editor’s note: Developments such as fast charging stations will encourage wider use of electric vehicles. This is minor good news for the power industry which has seen a low growth rate over the last few years. More to the wind power point, when the charging stations are between power stations on New York throughways, hopefully the power will come from nearby wind farms.
New York Power Authority says that New York’s first high-speed electric vehicle charging stations to power up electric vehicles (EV) within minutes have been installed at four service areas along the New York State Thruway in the Hudson Valley.
The four DC fast charging stations are located in the Newburgh/Kingston area on the Thruway. The travel plazas are Plattekill and Malden (travelling north on 87). And Ulster and Malden Thruway stop (travelling south on 87). The stations have two cables. One supports Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles. The other supports BMW and the other German and American brands. Tesla uses a different cable, but some of their drivers carry around adapters to use DC fast chargers like these. Tesla also has rapid charging stations near the Thruway in this area. The charging stations are rated at 50 kW and can bring an empty battery in most electric cars close to full in about 30 minutes.
First announced earlier this month at Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s State of the State, the charging stations are part of the state’s Charge NY initiative to install 3,000 charging stations across the state by 2018. Governor Cuomo also announced plans for the addition of 800 new charging stations in support of the Charge NY goal.
Charge NY is one of a number of clean energy initiatives under the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
“With the support of Nissan, the newly installed fast chargers are helping to make long-distance EV driving a reality for New Yorkers,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “In time, we hope to expand this program so these high-speed chargers are a common sight throughout the Thruway system. We are paving the way for new business investment and jobs, as well as cleaner air for all New Yorkers.”
The chargers enable fast-charge-capable EVs to be powered in about 30 minutes, about 10 to 20 times faster than standard EV charging stations. They are located on I-87 northbound at the Plattekill and Malden Service Areas, between exits 17 (Newburgh) and 21 (Catskill) and on I-87 southbound, at the Ulster and Modena Service Areas between exits 20 (Saugerties) and 17 (Newburgh). The new infrastructure stems from a collaboration between the Power Authority, the New York State Thruway Authority, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Nissan North America, which paid for the charging stations. NYPA paid for the installation.
“Having a robust public charging infrastructure is critical to the success of electric vehicles, which is why Nissan is collaborating with local officials to provide additional charging options for New York drivers,” said Andrew Speaker, Nissan’s director of Electric Vehicle Sales and Marketing. “More charging options will allow more New Yorkers to enjoy the benefits that electric vehicles have to offer, including significantly lower operating costs – with zero spending for gas.”
“The charging stations reflect the Thruway Authority’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” said New York State Thruway Authority Interim Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Maria Lehman. “Governor Cuomo’s Charge NY initiative reflects the growing demand for cleaner alternatives in transportation and we are proud to partner with NYPA and Nissan to meet that demand.”
The charging stations are each capable of supplying up to 50 kilowatts of power to an electric vehicle and support both of the standard connectors – Chademo and SAE Combo. Thruway motorists will be charged $8 per charging event. Motorists will need a Greenlots account or use the Greenlots app via a smart phone to charge at these stations. For more information, please visit www.greenlots.com.
“These fast-charging units will encourage greater use of EVs for long-distance travel, reducing range anxiety while increasing greater acceptance of these vehicles,” said John B. Rhodes, NYSERDA president and CEO. “Through the increased use of EVs, we will reduce fossil fuel consumption in the transportation sector while helping the state meet Governor Cuomo’s ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 40% by 2030.”
Since Charge NY was launched in 2013, more than 750 EV charging stations have been added in New York, bringing the current total to approximately 1,250. This puts New York within reach of the 2018 goal of 3,000 charging stations.
About 14,500 plug-in vehicles are currently operating in the state, compared to 2,500 when Charge NY was launched.
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