This past Monday, January 25, 2021, Livingston Energy Group’s team joined Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy alongside National Grid to unveil ten new electric vehicle charging stations located in downtown Schenectady.
Mayor McCarthy kicked off the day of his State of the City address by highlighting the importance behind municipalities providing residents and tourists with EV charging infrastructure, explaining that Schenectady is now not only the Electric City but an Electric Vehicle Destination.
The ten charging stations, located on Liberty Street, are nestled in the heart of downtown Schenectady within walking distance of Jay Street Marketplace, State Street, Union Street, Proctors Theatre, and many more attractions, making it convenient for drivers to charge and enjoy some time in Schenectady. Better yet, while drivers are still required to pay for parking, the use of the stations for charging is free on behalf of the City of Schenectady. The stations can be found and used on Livingston Energy Group’s mobile app, “Charge Port,” currently offered in the Apple App Store for iPhone users and the Google Play Store for Android users.
On a much larger scale, National Grid’s New York Communications Manager, Patrick Stella, emphasized the importance of funding electric vehicle initiatives, stating that National Grid “recently launched one of the largest EV programs in the country outside of California, with a target to install approximately 16,000 EV charging station ports in Upstate New York.” The Make-Ready Program funds up to 100% of the necessary electrical infrastructure costs needed to install charging stations. Further, Stella discusses National Grid’s avid efforts to support New York State’s pioneering clean energy policies through EV charging station installation and says, “Our partnership with the City and Livingston Energy is making it possible.”
As a clean energy company, Livingston Energy Group’s team firmly believes that EV charging stations should be as conveniently located for drivers as gas stations are today and continues to work to make that concept a reality. Portia Zwicker, a resident of the Capital Region and long-term EV driver, also joined Monday’s unveiling, expressing her appreciation for Livingston Energy Group and Schenectady’s focus on EV charging. Zwicker stated that it is nice to finally have more than one or two charging options throughout an entire city. She is not alone – range anxiety is real for current and prospective EV drivers. Providing numerous charging locations throughout municipalities works to combat range anxiety and establishes a sustainable image in displaying to future drivers that your community is prepared for the shift to EVs.
That said, Livingston Energy Group wants to emphasize the specific need for municipal investment in EV charging. A few of the countless benefits that come with installing EV charging stations as a municipality include improved property values, overall sustainability, additional pathways to measurably reduce carbon emissions, increased tourism, providing the service to EV drivers already located in your community, attracting green businesses, investment in local economies, and a long-term revenue stream.
If you are interested in installing EV charging stations and would like a free consultation to see if your municipality or property location qualifies for New York State’s current funding programs, please reach out to Livingston Energy Group today!
We can be contacted at 518-691-3073, www.solution.energy, or sales@solution.energy.