Program Would Give Westchester A Discount On Energy-Efficient Trucks

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. – Westchester municipalities potentially could make use of a new $19 million truck voucher incentive program that has been created by the state to reduce fuel emissions by promoting electric vehicles.

New York State-approved vehicle manufacturers, dealers and retrofit providers can receive vouchers that allow them to pass along a discount to buyers, like Westchester County, that the state believes needs to work on its gas emissions.
Photo Credit: *Screen grab of NYSERDA's Truck VIP website*

by The Daily Voice

08/18/2013 5:00 a.m.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the voucher program to encourage battery-electric commercial trucks and other energy-efficient transportation vehicles that operate as hybrids or run on other compressed natural gases. The program is directed at class 3-8 trucks – large pick-ups, delivery vans, box trucks, buses, tractor trailers, garbage trucks, and construction vehicles, such as cement and dump trucks, according to a press release from state officials.

The program will include two voucher funds – a $9 million fund for battery-electric truck vouchers offered in 30 counties around the state that did not meet federal clean air standards, and a $10 million fund for alternative fuels for New York City, which also includes compressed natural gas, hybrid-electric vehicles and retrofitting diesel engines with emission control devices.

The electric truck vouchers are now available, but the alternative fuels voucher and diesel retrofit money for New York City will not be rolled out until late August and September.

“The truck voucher incentive program is another important step that New York State is taking to meet clean air standards,” said Cuomo in a statement. “This program highlights the state’s commitment to developing, promoting, and implementing new measures that lower emissions and reduce our carbon footprint. By focusing on advanced transportation technologies, including electronic and hybrid vehicles, we can provide cleaner communities in which to live and work.”

The program is being administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, with money from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program and in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Transportation.

Under the terms of the program, authority-approved vehicle manufacturers, dealers and retrofit providers can receive the vouchers that allow them to pass along a discount to buyers, according to the state.

A fact sheet about the program is available online.

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