Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
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NEW YORK (77WABC) —Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a $75 million investment in electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support New York City, as part of the city’s plan to transition its entire vehicle fleet to electric vehicles.
“Climate change is an existential threat facing our city, our nation, and our world,” de Blasio said in a press conference. “You can count on New York City to lead the way when it comes to finding sustainable climate solutions, fighting back against global warming, and building a greener future for the next generation.”
The future of NYC is electric! Join us at Borough Hall #inQueens for a major #ClimateWeek announcement. https://t.co/Ca0MJkvktg
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) September 22, 2021
The investments include 300 electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel-powered cars, 275 fast vehicle chargers, and 78 electric ambulances. The city will also convert 125 existing diesel-powered trucks to be electric-powered.
“The EV investment and infrastructure that we put in place today will become the foundation of a clean and reliable transportation system for the next generation of New Yorkers,” said Ben Furnas, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability. “Today’s announcement is a key example of the City’s commitment to end the age of fossil fuels, improve air quality and public health — especially in Environmental Justice communities most impacted by polluting tailpipe emissions — and tackle the urgency of the climate crisis before us.”
“The $75 million in investments announced today will help pave the way for ending the use of fossil fuels in the City of New York’s municipal vehicle fleet,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “The time to act on climate change is now, and New York City is leading the way by transitioning to an all-electric vehicle fleet.”
DCAS in 2019 launched an initiative to install 100 fast electric vehicle chargers across the five boroughs. Fast electric vehicle chargers can charge vehicles up to seven times faster than traditional chargers.
To date, 90 of these fast chargers are in operation, and all 100 will be operational by the end of the year. Currently, eight fast chargers are available for public use.
