Capital District Zero Emission Vehicle Plan
The Capital District Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Plan builds upon the previous Capital District Electric Vehicles Charging Station Plan released in March 2016 by the Capital District Clean Communities Coalition (CDCC). It assesses the Capital District’s current support for ZEVs, and provides recommendations to create a more comprehensive Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network that will support ZEV drivers and address barriers to ZEV adoption in the Capital District, including specific recommendations for corridors to be designated as Alternative Fuel Corridors under the FHWA’s Alternative Fuels Clean Corridors program.
The plan addresses conditions for EVs that are equipped with on-board batteries, or fuel cell which are capable of powering the vehicle drivetrain. When running on electricity EVs are able to completely offset the use of gasoline, eliminating all tailpipe emissions, hence the term Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV).
As of the end of 2019, there were 3,086 EVs on the road in the Capital District. 2,012 were PHEVs and 1,074 were BEVs. Market share of EVs in the Capital Region is growing, but is still less than 1% of all registered light duty vehicles. Currently there are over 480 public Level 2 charging outlets in the Capital District, with 357 in Albany County, 77 in Schenectady County, 149 in Saratoga County, and 57 in Rensselaer County.
The plan finds that the Capital District is currently a great place for ZEV owners and is in excellent position to support future ZEV adoption. Multiple policies are in place that support ZEV ownership and have the ability to shape the future adoption of ZEV technology. Currently, the cost of owning an EV in the region can be supplemented by combined state and federal rebates of up to $9,500 and recently passed legislation in New York has prioritized the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions state-wide by the year 2050. Travel trends in the region align well with the capabilities of the majority of EVs currently available, resulting in a population that could achieve a high level of EV adoption even at current technology levels.
To download the full ZEV plan and find out more about the recommendations made to continue to improve conditions for ZEVs in the Capital District please visit the CDTC website.