Albany, NY – Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) announces the passage of her legislation that will make it a violation to park in a spot designated for charging an electric vehicle if the vehicle is not electric. This legislation, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Jen Metzger, will now be delivered to Governor Cuomo for his signature.

Typically, electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles, charge in home garages, but on longer drives there must be a way for electric vehicles to restore their electric charge. Public electric vehicle charging stations are limited in number and are often found in parking lots, where other vehicles may be parked. In New York State, designated parking spots exist in various locations, but currently there is no legal ability to enforce them.

"Reserving parking spaces for electric vehicle charging must be enforceable. This is important for practical as well as public policy reasons. Practically, owners of electric vehicles need to be able to charge their vehicles when they are away from home. On a public policy level, this legislation will provide a further incentive for drivers to purchase electric vehicles and help reduce carbon emissions,” said Assemblywoman Paulin.

New York State leads the nation in its efforts to combat climate change. However, transportation remains the main source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. The Department of Environmental Conservation reports that transportation contributes more than 35 percent of total statewide greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation will incentivize drivers to purchase electric vehicles and, in turn, advance New York State’s plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions as proposed in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019.