Smith Electric School bus – No exhaust pipe (Flickr/Laura Gilchrist)
Leslie Vishwanath and The Fleet Triad with support from many others at National Grid
National Grid, a leader in the clean transportation revolution, is driving innovation and providing solutions to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). As a regulated utility serving 2.4 million customers in New York, National Grid’s EV programs focus on infrastructure development, cost-saving initiatives, and collaboration with stakeholders to foster sustainable transportation and reduce transportation-related carbon emissions in our communities.
Supporting EV Adoption Through Infrastructure Development and Incentive Funding
National Grid’s EV Charger Make-Ready programs assist commercial customers with installing infrastructure. These programs prioritize funding to disadvantaged communities, and support many customer segments including fleets, public destinations, workplaces, and multi-unit dwellings. By simplifying the installation process and offering financial incentives, National Grid makes the adoption of clean electric transportation more affordable and accessible.
National Grid works with the Joint Utilities of NY, and our customers, to build sustainable and equitable infrastructure through the Make-Ready program. This initiative, one of the largest in the country, has been a key support network for enabling more than 230,000 EVs on the road in New York to date, and aligns with New York State’s objective of transitioning all vehicles to zero emission vehicles throughout the state by 2035. Work is still needed to reach our goals, but substantial progress has been made to enable the transition. These efforts also prioritize addressing environmental justice concerns and ensure equitable access to clean transportation solutions in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
Driving Affordability
National Grid is committed to making EV charging more cost-effective and accessible. Programs like the Commercial Demand Charge Rebate Program and the Residential Managed Charging Program enable customers to save on charging costs, incentivizing the switch to electric vehicles. These initiatives are part of National Grid’s broader strategy to support sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions.
Managing Charging Demand
New York will prohibit the purchase of diesel-fueled buses starting in 2027. The data from NYSERDA shows communities in New York State are already real-izing the proven benefits of electric buses. (Clean Energy Resource Teams and National Grid)
National Grid and other electric utilities are developing innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand for EV charging while ensuring grid stability and efficiency. Through flexible connections solutions and managed charging programs, EV chargers can adjust their power draw based on real-time grid conditions. These solutions optimize existing available power capacity for customers, prevents grid overloads during peak demand, reduces the need and urgency for infrastructure upgrades, and lowers electricity rates and EV fueling costs for drivers. By aligning EV charging with high-renewable energy production periods, utilities like National Grid can further reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In upstate New York, National Grid obtains 92% of its electricity from clean power sources and that number will continue to increase with the clean energy transition. Flexible connections, managed charging, and clean energy generation are crucial in supporting the widespread adoption of EVs, ensuring that the grid can handle the increased load, improving grid efficiency, and providing clean air benefits.
Electrifying School Buses
National Grid actively collaborates with school districts in New York State to support their transition to electric school buses. Working alongside funders and partners such as New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Resources Institute Electric School Bus Initiative, National Grid helps build necessary infrastructure, provides guidance, and offers funding support. This collective effort ensures a seamless switch to cleaner electric buses, promoting a healthier environment for students and communities. NYSERDA recently shared that 88% of school districts in New York State with electric school bus propositions on the 2024 ballot received approvals from their voters. There are only two years left until the 2027 school budget voting cycle, when New York will prohibit the purchase of diesel-fueled buses. The data from NYSERDA establishes that communities in New York State are already realizing the proven benefits of electric buses.
Proactive Investments in Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Looking ahead, National Grid is investing in the next wave of clean transportation through proactive investments for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. National Grid and the Joint Utilities of NY are actively engaged in a proceeding with New York state to support their adoption., including the development of a robust charging infrastructure to support the electrification of these vehicle classes. The plan incorporates the identification of optimal locations for charging stations, addressing grid capacity issues, and ensuring the reliability of the charging network.
Financial incentives and funding programs are a major focus to encourage the adoption of electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The proceeding aims to create a supportive policy framework that addresses regulatory barriers and promotes the adoption of electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles to align with New York state’s broader environmental and emission reduction goals.
National Grid’s Commitment to a Sustainable Future
National Grid’s commitment to clean transportation aligns with New York State’s goals and leadership in transitioning to a sustainable future. Through infrastructure development, cost-saving programs, customer collaboration, and proactive investments in medium and heavy-duty vehicles, National Grid takes a holistic approach to integrate EVs into the energy environment. By embracing clean transportation, we can collectively work towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.
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