S 98 requires electric corporations to cover the costs of "make-ready" infrastructure needed to charge electric vehicles for public fleets, such as government-owned buses, police cars, and school district vehicles. It mandates that corporations include 100% of their own infrastructure costs (like transformers and wiring) and at least 50% of customer infrastructure costs (like site wiring) in their rates - increasing to 90% in disadvantaged communities - so these expenses are shared across all utility customers instead of paid directly by fleet operators. This reduces upfront financial barriers for public entities transitioning to electric fleets while ensuring infrastructure costs are recovered through standard rate structures. The bill applies specifically to state, municipal, school district, and public authority fleets, not private businesses.
Prohibits the establishment or enforcement of regulations on the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in manufacturers' sales fleets of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles until the availability of charging infrastructure, and the cost and availability of zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles makes the sale of such vehicles more practicable.
Limits the number of certificates of registration that may be issued by the commissioner of motor vehicles to five total; provides that certificates issued prior to 1/1/25 shall not be eligible for renewal.
Establishes the "Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Liability Act" which requires additional fees to be collected from electric vehicle owners and operators for fire prevention and infrastructure.
Relates to requiring the department of transportation to prepare a plan for every public transportation system to be eligible to receive operating assistance in the purchase of new zero-emission buses or vehicles.
Establishes new classes of vehicle driver's licenses for low velocity electric vehicles; establishes a low velocity electric vehicle operator's safety manual, test requirement, purchase requirements and registration requirement; relates to requiring instruction in low velocity electric vehicles safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course; requires liability insurance for low velocity electric vehicles in cities having a population of one million or more.
Requires the commissioner of motor vehicles to adopt rules and regulations requiring the issuance and placement of special stickers identifying alternative fuel vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of ten thousand pounds or less; requires such stickers to be easily identifiable to first responders as alternative fuel vehicles; defines alternative fuel.
Provides that a vehicle or a combination of vehicles operated by an engine fueled primarily by means of natural gas, propane gas, or hydrogen or powered primarily by means of electric battery power may exceed certain weight limits by up to two thousand pounds.
Directs the New York State Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York Power Authority, to promulgate rules and regulations for the standardization of public charging stations for electric vehicles.
This bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new vehicles by July 2027. It also mandates that all components and final assembly of these buses and their charging infrastructure must be made in the U.S. unless a waiver is granted for cost or feasibility reasons. Districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis, and the law includes protections preventing workforce displacement for transportation employees during the transition. The full transition to zero-emission school buses must be completed by July 2047, or when all state vehicle fleets meet this standard, whichever comes later.
