Charging forward: A greenhouse gas emissions analysis of New York State's electric vehicle and clean energy goals

Abstract

States throughout the U.S. are implementing electric vehicle (EV)-focused policies to spur EV adoption. EVs are viewed as an environmentally friendly mobility choice for passenger vehicles due to their lack of direct emissions like conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. However, EVs use electricity for power and produce upstream emissions. In 2022, New York State enacted legislation stipulating that by 2035, all new vehicles would be zero emission vehicles. Similarly, the New York Independent System Operator, the organization operating New York's electric grid, has a public goal that 100 percent of electricity is net zero by 2040. Both policy initiatives aim to decrease greenhouse gas emissions but do not provide equal decreases in CO₂ emissions throughout the state. This analysis explores how these policies work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York State, using county level analysis to assess emission changes. The study finds that under current policies, there will be unequal decreases in emissions, with urban areas in the southeastern part of the state experiencing the greatest decline. Current state-level policies lack specific guidance for equitable EV adoption, particularly in rural areas indicating for target policy interventions to increase rural EV infrastructure and adoption.