Empire State Today

Philip Palmesano, Assemblyman for New York’s 132nd District, said that the state’s electric vehicle and energy mandates are unrealistic and will devastate industries, increase costs, and harm grid reliability. He made this statement in an interview.

"We're short about 15,000 public chargers and that doesn't even touch the cost, range, reliability, or grid concerns," said Philip A. Palmesano, District 132. "Our school districts are being made the guinea pigs for a social experiment, with no feasibility outs like the state gets. Most people still want gas-powered vehicles we're penalizing the industry for not selling what the public doesn't want. Feasibility, affordability, and reliability are not part of the discussion and that's the problem."

New York State is aiming for 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 but faces significant challenges in its infrastructure. As of early 2025, there are fewer than 120 publicly accessible Level 3 fast chargers. In contrast, New York City alone would need about 60,000 fast charging plugs to meet its 2050 carbon neutrality targets. To address this gap, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $21 million investment to install EV fast chargers along major travel corridors. This initiative is funded by a federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grant, as reported by Cleantechnica.

According to the NYSenate, New York's mandate for all school buses to be zero-emission by 2035, with new purchases required to be electric starting in 2027, has raised concerns among school districts. A think tank analysis estimated the cost of this transition to be between $8 and $15.25 billion, excluding infrastructure and facility upgrades. Some districts involved in pilot programs have also reported mechanical issues with electric buses and difficulties accessing parts and technical support, leading to some electric buses being sidelined in bus garages.

Despite the push for electrification, consumer preferences remain a significant hurdle. A survey by S&P Global Mobility found that affordability is the primary concern for potential EV buyers, with 48% of respondents citing high prices as a barrier. Range anxiety and the availability of charging stations were also noted as concerns. Additionally, local car dealerships have expressed apprehension about meeting the state's zero-emission vehicle sales targets due to fears of financial strain from stocking vehicles that may not align with current consumer demand.

Palmesano has served as a member of the New York State Assembly since 2011, representing the 132nd Assembly District which includes parts of Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Seneca, and Yates counties. He advocates for rural and upstate interests and has focused on infrastructure, disability rights, and energy policy during his tenure. He is known for voicing concerns over the financial and logistical challenges associated with New York’s transition to electric vehicles, particularly regarding mandates placed on school districts.