New York Power Authority Donates Six Retired Hybrid and Electric Vehicles to Educational Institutions Across the State

For Immediate Release: 04/18/2024
Contact: media.inquiries@nypa.gov | (914) 681-6770

 

 

New York Power Authority Donates Six Retired Hybrid and Electric Vehicles to Educational Institutions Across the State

 

Albany High School Receives its First EV for Automotive Technology Classes

 

Third Round of NYPA Donations Continues Push to Improve Green Energy Workforce Programs and Access to Specialized EV Certifications

 

See Photos Here

 

 

ALBANY—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today celebrated its third round of donations of hybrid and electric vehicles to automotive technology programs at educational institutions across New York State. The vehicle donation, coupled with specialized hand tools and level 2 chargers, aims to ensure the next generation of automotive technicians are trained in green vehicle technology as the demand for electric vehicles increases and New York moves closer to its ambitious climate goals. NYPA’s Environmental Justice Department today presented a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid to students and administrators at Albany High School.

 

“Electric vehicles will be increasingly popular throughout New York State over the next decade and that means new career opportunities for young people,” said Justin E. Driscoll, Power Authority president and CEO. “The Power Authority hopes that donating these hybrid and electric vehicles will serve as hands-on tools for teaching the technical skills that will be in high demand in a stronger and greener workforce.”

 

The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees agreed in December to transfer ownership of six Power Authority fleet vehicles and specialized training automotive tools and chargers to Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across the state.

 

In addition to the City School District of Albany, the following educational institutions received donations:

• Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Education Service
• Dutchess County Board of Cooperative Educational Service
• State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
• Northland Workforce Training Center
• Buffalo City School District (Burgard High School)

 

NYPA’s Environmental Justice team identified the six institutions as serving disadvantaged communities near NYPA assets and strategic projects.

 

“This is an amazing opportunity for Albany High School students and we’re incredibly grateful to the New York Power Authority,” said City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter. “Adding an electric vehicle to the teaching toolbox will make a great program even better—and greener.”

 

Albany High students can take automotive classes either independently or in a “pathway.” Students following the automotive pathway spend three years in intensive classes, where they get hands-on experience both in the school’s auto repair classroom and in internships with local businesses. Those who successfully complete the pathway receive a technical endorsement on their diploma and are ready to work at an entry-level position at a repair shop.

“Technology is rapidly evolving in the automotive industry, and knowing the basics of how to work on and around these high-powered systems is paramount for safety and understanding,” said Albany High automotive teacher Patrick Whitton. “Having this vehicle will give our students hands-on experience—which is a much better way to learn complex subjects.”

 

Each school that receives a car will also get a set of insulated hand tools and a Level 2 charger intended to allow students pursuing careers in the industry to better understand vehicle charging infrastructure. The Power Authority is also developing a training program as an opportunity for automotive technology instructors.

 

NYPA agreed in 2019 to start donating retired NYPA hybrid and all-electric vehicles to regional educational institutions for use in a training environment as part of the institutions’ automotive maintenance and repair curriculum. Those first three donations served as a pilot for a potential wider distribution of NYPA’s electric vehicles for educational purposes. Twenty-two vehicles have so far been donated.

 

With the increasing popularity and availability of electric vehicles in the domestic

market, the demand for technicians who can service these vehicles will be increasing as well. As these vehicles are newer and their mechanical components vary greatly from fossil fuel-powered vehicles, opportunities to become a technician in this area are sparse. 

 

By donating the retired fleet hybrid and electric vehicles to educational institutions with the express purpose that they be used only as a training instrument for future EV technicians, NYPA is contributing to New York State’s green energy future in a very tangible way and improving career prospects for participating students. The addition of electric and hybrid vehicles to the institution’s curriculum will also allow those institutions to provide additional specialized certifications to students. 

 

“The donation of retired fleet electric and hybrid vehicles is one of many ways the Power Authority supports the clean energy workforce,” said Kaela Mainsah, vice president of Environmental Justice. “Our goal is to ensure that communities that have been historically under-resourced are prepared to participate in future careers.”

 

NYPA’s Environmental Justice team offers science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, mentorship and energy efficiency initiatives to meet the needs of underserved and under-resourced communities located near NYPA's power facilities.

 

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “I applaud this new addition to Albany High School’s already robust Career and Technical Education program. Prioritizing education and training initiatives that focus on hybrid and electric vehicles is key to meeting the environmental challenges of the future while empowering our students to secure stable and lucrative employment. We must work together to tap into this rapidly growing market which will help secure a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

 

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “As we transition to a clean energy economy and electrify our transportation sector, we must ensure that the next generation of workers has the skills and tools necessary to compete in this growing market and industry. These electric vehicles will provide students with hands-on learning experiences they can carry far into the future; whether it’s the job market, college or university, or an apprenticeship. Thank you to the New York Power Authority for investing in Albany students and for helping prepare them for the economy and transportation grid of tomorrow.”

 

State Senator Neil D. Breslin said, "By donating retired electric vehicles to Career & Technical Education programs around New York, the Power Authority is helping to ensure that our state’s workforce will have the tools necessary to achieve our climate goals and navigate the transition to a fully green economy. I am excited for the many Albany High School students who will have an opportunity to develop important technical skills thanks to the Power Authority’s forward-thinking investment in our region’s youth."

 

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "I am very appreciative of NYPA's donation of a hybrid vehicle to the students at Albany High School. It's never too early to begin teaching our youngest residents about the impacts of climate change and what we can do to help combat it, like reducing fossil fuel emissions by utilizing electric vehicles."

 

 

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New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35%, with a goal of 40%, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $46 billion in 65 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000% growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change. 

 

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.