Assembly passes measure to form EV fast‑charging planning group

The New York State Assembly on the floor passed A.8869, a bill directing the state's public authority to produce a comprehensive, annual plan for electric vehicle (EV) fast‑charging deployment and to establish a "Fast Charge New York" working group to coordinate implementation.

Sponsor Assemblymember Barrett said the measure seeks "a comprehensive and ongoing approach to EV fast charging station implementation planning" and described the working group as a vehicle to bring state agencies, consumer groups and other stakeholders together. "The idea is to have a diversity of points of view and perspectives in getting to this comprehensive, much‑needed oversight on how we do fast charging," Barrett said.

Several lawmakers pressed the sponsor on the working group's composition and whether minority‑party or consumer representatives would have appointments. Assemblymember Goodell asked why the bill did not include explicit minority appointments when "the minority represents one‑third of the residents of the state," and noted that members are appointed mostly by majority leaders. Barrett responded that the bill does not prevent consultation with minority leaders and said the working group would meet and coordinate with ISOs and consumer groups.

Lawmakers raised the technical and financial scale of fast chargers. A member cited equipment and delivery estimates "upwards of $10,000 for the equipment, plus another upwards of $15,000 for the delivery," totaling about $25,000 per charger, and asked whether the working group would include organizations charged with running the grid to address transformer and distribution concerns. Barrett said those entities would be part of the conversation.

Supporters said an annually updated plan and cross‑agency coordination are needed to reduce "range anxiety" for drivers and to ensure charging infrastructure is deployed in disadvantaged communities as required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Critics urged adding formal minority appointments to the working group to reflect diverse regional and technical expertise.

The Assembly voted 133–9 to pass the bill. The measure takes effect immediately, and the clerk recorded the amendments as received and adopted.

Next steps: the bill will proceed according to legislative process and any required implementation work will be handled by the designated public authority, including appointments to the working group and coordination with grid operators.