PSC Approves Faster, Smarter EV Charger Connections Across New York State

ALBANY - In advance of Climate Week, the Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved a new system to speed up and simplify the process of connecting electric vehicle (EV) chargers to the grid, cutting wait times and removing red tape for developers and utilities alike. In addition, the Commission directed Department of Public Service staff to advance a solution that could address barriers associated with the interconnection of electric load and eventually developing a statewide framework for the interconnection of electric vehicles. This action is expected to unlock billions of dollars in new economic opportunities in New York State.

"The Commission has long recognized the importance of the electrification of the transportation sector," said Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. "To advance New York's climate goals, we have adopted policies to incentivize the development of EV charging infrastructure, and today's decision moves our nation-leading EV programs forward."

This year, Climate Week is being held from September 21-28, 2025. The EV application queue management system approved by the Commission today will address the issues of transparency, queue backlog, wait times, and application development related to the interconnection of EV chargers.

The EV make-ready program was established by the Commission on July 16, 2020. In today's decision, the Commission required that upstate utilities establish a set number of queued applications to activate the queue management tactics, as currently implemented by the downstate utilities, and creates a list of standardized sets of required practices for the utilities, among other actions.

This decision will:

• Create a manual to foster a consistent, transparent application process to improve the experience of developers across New York State.
• Require utilities to file a customer-sided document that provides information on the development process and contains a dispute resolution plan.
• Addresses barriers associated with the interconnection of electric load that were brought up by the members of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Interconnection Working Group.

With today's decision, major utilities in New York will host a technical conference to review the Manual's modifications and the customer-sided document.

To address the interconnection issues and solutions brought up by members of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Interconnection Working Group and by stakeholders in other proceedings, the Department of Public Service staff is directed to develop and propose a solution to address those issues and host a technical conference or stakeholder session to solicit feedback from stakeholders.

In November of 2023, the Commission made major changes to New York's electric vehicle "make-ready" program to speed up the transition to zero-emissions electric vehicles. Those changes were designed to accelerate the development of EV charging infrastructure to combat range anxiety and ensure New Yorkers have access to convenient and reliable EV charging. Combined, all of the EV programs are expected to stimulate $4 billion in total investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More and more New Yorkers are going electric every day, with 175,000 electric or plug-in hybrid EVs on the road today, and approximately 3 million anticipated by 2030.

Today's decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission's website at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 18-E-0138 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission's Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

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