State lawmakers are calling for an expansion of the infrastructure meant to support electric vehicles in New York ahead of a planned phase out gas-powered cars by 2035. 

A bill announced Tuesday by Assemblywoman Pat Fahy and Sen. Liz Krueger is aimed at building more charging stations in order to reach the first benchmark goal of 850,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025. 

Sales of passenger cars and trucks must be zero emission by 2035 in New York, a goal that several states are trying to reach. But the necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations and renovating commercial and residential buildings to achieve that gola has lagged. 

“New York must accelerate the electrification of its transportation sector if we’re to meet our ambitious climate emission goals laid out in the CLCPA," Fahy said, referring to the Climate Change and Community Protection Act. “It’s projected the state needs 73,000 Level 2 plugs and 2,600 fast-charging plugs by 2025 to support other transportation-sector targets, yet currently only about 600 fast-charging plugs and roughly 6,000 Level 2’s have been rolled out. By requiring more EV capable and ready charging stations across our building stock, we’re placing New York on a fast track to meeting its ambitious climate and emission goals.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul previously approved legislation this year phasing out the sale of gas-engine cars by the middle part of the next decade. 

The bill proposed Tuesday would apply to new construction and buildings that are undergoing major renovations.

Commercial buildings would be required to have 100% of spaces electric vehicle capable, with at least 20% of its spaces equipped with at least a level 2 charging station. 

“In spite of all the actions New York State has taken to confront the climate crisis, we are still behind the curve,” Krueger said. “The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state, and many parallel approaches will be required to transform it. Electrification of private vehicles is critical, but it can only be achieved with sufficient charging infrastructure in place. This bill will speed up the buildout of EV chargers across our state, and ensure that they will be more accessible to more New Yorkers across the income spectrum.”