New electric vehicle chargers available in Schoharie County

Feb. 13—The New York Power Authority announced Tuesday, Feb. 13 that four new fast chargers for electric vehicles are available at the Mirabito convenience store in Richmondville — 50 miles west of Albany in Schoharie County — through a collaboration with NYPA and the state Department of Transportation.

Located at 1168 state Route 7, just off Interstate 88, the site is New York state's second location funded by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which helps states build fast charging stations along major highways to make it easier for EV drivers to charge when traveling long distances, according to a news release.

The first location in Kingston opened in December. A third site is scheduled to open in North Hudson in Essex County in the Adirondack Park in the spring.

NYPA collaborated with NYSDOT to direct the state's first installment of NEVI funds — about $20 million — into the further expansion of NYPA's EVolve NY fast charging network to fill in gaps along federally designated travel corridors.

New York state is slated to receive a total of $175 million in NEVI program funding over five years, the news release stated.

Richmondville is the fifth EVolve NY site hosted by Mirabito. EVolve NY chargers currently are hosted at stores in Oneonta, Binghamton and two locations in Syracuse.

Agreements have been signed for additional locations expected to come online in the next two years in Bainbridge, Parish and Ithaca.

The new Evolve NY Direct Current Fast Chargers can charge capable electric vehicles in about 20 minutes.

The Richmondville station, on the Electrify America network, is equipped with fast charging connectors — four combined charging system plugs rated up to 350 kilowatts and one CHAdeMO connector rated at up to 100 kilowatts. Almost all electric vehicles, including Tesla cars with adapters, can plug in, the news release stated.

"Diverse energy options are key to our future and ensuring that all regions of the state receive equal attention is one of my leading priorities," State Sen. Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, said in a statement. "Building up the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicles, especially in rural areas, is critical. I am pleased to see federal dollars earmarked for Richmondville to help increase EV charging capabilities."

State Assembly Member Chris Tague, R-Schoharie, said in a statement that the new electric vehicle fast chargers "will open up a world of possibilities for our rural upstate communities."

"New groups of people will be able to make long trips upstate, which will boost our economy," he said. "Richmondville is just the start and I will not let our community fall behind in the modernization of our state."

In 2022, the state Department of Environmental Conservation adopted regulations requiring all new passenger cars, pickup trucks and SUVs sold in New York state be zero emission by 2035.

The regulations are aimed at decarbonizing the state's transportation sector and advancing the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for emissions to be reduced 85% by 2050.