NY State launches $19 million voucher program for electric, CNG and hybrid trucks

To encourage battery-electric commercial truck purchases, as well as other energy-efficient transportation, including hybrid and compressed natural gas trucks, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a $19 million New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program. The program includes two voucher funds - $9 million is earmarked for 30 counties around the state that did not meet federal clean air standards, primarily downstate New York, the Capital Region and Western New York, and the remaining $10 million is for New York City, which includes compressed natural gas, hybrid-electric vehicles and retrofitting diesel engines with emission control devices.

"The Truck Voucher Incentive Program is another important step that New York State is taking to meet clean air standards," said Governor Cuomo. "This program highlights the State's commitment to developing, promoting, and implementing new measures that lower emissions and reduce our carbon footprint. By focusing on advanced transportation technologies, including electronic and hybrid vehicles, we can provide cleaner communities in which to live and work."

The program covers trucks in the class 3 to class 8 range. This includes large pick-ups, delivery vans, box trucks, buses, tractor trailers, garbage trucks, and construction vehicles such as cement and dump trucks. NYSERDA approved vehicle manufacturers, dealers and retrofit providers which will receive the vouchers and they in turn will offer lower prices to their customers.

The program is meant to complement Gov. Cuomo's Charge NY program to stimulate demand for EVs and investments in infrastructure.

"Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York is making business- and government-related transportation cleaner and more affordable," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. "By promoting electric trucks as well as other energy-efficient transportation solutions, the State will lessen its dependence on foreign petroleum while incentivizing municipalities and businesses to embrace more environmentally friendly transportation technologies."

Approved electric truck manufacturers include AMP Trucks Inc., Boulder Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles International and Smith Electric Vehicles.

"Governor Cuomo recognizes that transportation is key to economic growth and this new voucher program is a perfect example of that," State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said. "Using our Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funding, this program will improve air quality, incentivize companies to purchase alternative fuel vehicles and support emerging businesses that are creating jobs in New York State."

"These investments have already helped dozens of companies operate greener fleets on New York City's streets," said NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "With this new infusion we can now go the extra mile and convert an additional 500 trucks to cleaner technology so they can keep New York moving in a way that enhances the economy and the health of all New Yorkers."

For more information on the New York Truck-Voucher Incentive Program, visit truck-vip.ny.gov