New York in the coming years will be required to reduce its carbon footprint and shift to renewable energy, and lawmakers hope a first step will be to make it easier to buy an electric car.
The state is lagging in electric car ownership. Assemblywoman Pat Fahy said that needs to change.
"We do not lead on zero emissions and for us not to be in the top 10 in ownership, it's almost inexplicable," said Fahy, a Democrat from Albany.
Currently there are five dealerships in the state. At issue is these dealerships are owned by the electric vehicle manufacturer. So, this measure would potentially allow for these vehicles to be sold like traditional cars to consumers.
Fahy along with Sen. Todd Kaminsky on Wednesday unveiled legislation that's designed to incentivize electric car ownership, lifting what they say amounts to a cap on dealerships in New York, as electric vehicle ownership is expected to rise in the coming years.
"It is going to be sooner rather than later," Kaminsky said. "The market is going to have to do a lot of that work, but as prices come down and technology gets better, that's where this is going to have to end up."
Peter Iwanowicz of Environmental Advocates NY said the measure is meant to help the state fight climate and help New York comply with a law shifting the state to renewable energy.
"This law will open up that marketplace and allow consumers to choose how they buy their electric vehicle going forward," he said. "So it's really important."
But some Republican lawmakers are skeptical the law reducing energy emissions will help New Yorkers when their utility bill is due.
"I just think we have an obligation and the ratepayer of the state to show where we're going," said Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, a Republican who represents a Southern Tier district.
Palmesano on Wednesday called for a cost-benefit analysis of the law over concerns the shift to renewable energy could wind up cost businesses and ratepayers big.
"We should be looking to expand and implement green renewables into our energy portfolio," he said. "But we also have to ensure affordability and reliability."