Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the installation of the first fast chargers for electric vehicles in downtown Albany. The charging hub in the Quackenbush public parking garage extends the New York Power Authority’s EVolve NY high-speed network into New York State’s capital city and adds a resource for EV owners. The partnership with the Albany Parking Authority brings four chargers improving the city’s infrastructure to support more carbon-free transportation and help the State reach its nation-leading climate goals.

“New York State is adding convenient fast charging in its cities and along rural highways to truly prepare for a transportation future where electric vehicles are the norm,” Governor Hochul said. “Bringing fast chargers to the center of our capital city sets a trend for urban planners and makes it easier for city dwellers to enjoy the benefits of zero-emission travel. Fast and convenient charging will make our cities more accessible and environmentally friendly.

”Investing in downtown infrastructure supports the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035 and furthers New York’s Climate Act, which establishes bold targets for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

The new Evolve NY hub in Albany is part of New York State’s effort to eliminate “fast charging deserts” and encourage the development of public charging infrastructure that is available to all New Yorkers and out-of-state visitors. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) maintains the largest open-access high-speed charging network in New York State with nearly 150 charging ports at 38 sites along statewide major travel corridors, helping ensure that EV drivers in New York do not have to worry about running out of charge.

The city-owned Quackenbush garage, at 25 Orange St., was selected as an Evolve NY site because of its proximity to the New York Thruway and its urban setting, which offers nearby amenities to drivers and convenience for apartment dwellers, hotel guests and other residents who may not have their own charging facilities. National Grid, the local utility, was able to add the charging capacity.The garage has 879 parking spaces including 13 total EV charging spots and is convenient to Quackenbush Square and many of the city’s premiere shopping, dining and historic sites. In addition to the 4 new fast charging spots, nine of the chargers are Level 2, operated by the Albany Parking Authority and located on the garage’s second level. Drivers are required to pay a parking fee to enter the garage.

Fast charging is growing within cities as many EV drivers do not have their own parking spaces and places to charge. Chargers often tend to be placed along highways and considered resources to facilitate long-distance road trips. However, they can also serve as an alternative to slower Level 2 charging or for drivers who do not have reliable access to charging.

Evolve NY Direct Current Fast Chargers can charge most of the battery capacity in any make or model of EV in as little as 20 minutes. The Quackenbush hub, on the Electrify America network, is equipped with one combined charging system (CCS) charger rated at up to 350 kW and three chargers rated at up to 150kW. Two of them offer the CHAdeMO connector and there’s a CCS-to-Tesla adapter that NYPA installed for Tesla owners. This particular hub is one of several EVolve NY sites to have incorporated the built-in adapter. See how to use the new adapter here.Today’s announcement expands on the existing EV charging infrastructure in Albany.

Two years ago, the Albany Parking Authority joined the Power Authority and the City of Albany officials to unveil 11 new Level 2 charging stations in all three Albany Parking Authority garages downtown – the Riverfront, Green-Hudson and Quackenbush garages. Last year, the Albany Parking Authority installed new parking meters across the city that are partially powered using solar energy. Also, the Albany Authority invested in energy efficient LED lighting in their parking garages and will be implementing more changes to offset the capital city’s carbon footprint.