This article was updated on July 17 at 11:30 a.m. to include comments from Brian Shea, Rye’s interim city manager.
Port Chester, Mamaroneck, and Rye Brook are just some of the 24 municipalities partnering with Westchester to install EV charging stations across the county.
The announcement on Wednesday comes amid the launch of Westchester’s new Electric Vehicle Charging Program aimed at expanding access to clean transportation by helping local communities install charging stations. The proposed locations span 24 Westchester municipalities and include 79 charging sites, according to county officials, with more than 750 charging ports.
The city of Rye is not participating in the program. That’s because they have already had success finding funding streams through state programs, including the Energy Research & Development Authority’s Clean Energy Communities program, Interim City Manager Brian Shea told The Record.
As a result, EV chargers have already been installed at DPW headquarters in Disbrow Park and City Hall for its municipal fleet, and the city is planning to also add chargers at the police station on McCullough Place and Rye Recreation on Midland Avenue, Shea said.
But EV charging stations for public consumption haven’t materialized just yet. The city, Shea added, is pursing funding through a program with the New York Power Authority that would allow for the installation of chargers on municipal property for the public to use.
For the Westchester program, the county plans to reimburse the municipalities up to 50 percent of eligible costs, with a total commitment of up to $5 million, according to a press release announcing the initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is an investment in both our environment and our residents, said County Executive Ken Jenkins, a Democrat. “By installing more EV chargers in neighborhoods across Westchester, we’re helping people transition to clean transportation while collaborating with our local partners to reduce pollution, and promote healthier communities.”
Final installation depends, however, on each municipality completing the necessary steps to bring their projects forward.
Municipalities will determine whether to provide fee-free access or set their own rates, according to county officials. As part of the program, the chargers must remain available to the public and be located on public property or public rights-of-way.
Peter McCartt, the county’s director of Environmental Conservation, said by helping local communities install EV chargers makes it easier for Westchester residents to transition to electric vehicles and reduce harmful emissions from transportation.
“This program is a critical step toward meeting our climate goals at the local and regional levels,” McCartt added.
