Establishes the zero-emission industrial trucks grant program to be administered by NYSERDA, to encourage the purchase and lease of zero-emission industrial trucks, class I to III.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1438
SPONSOR: Hunter TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing
the zero-emission industrial trucks grant program
PURPOSE:
This legislation would allow NYSERDA to create a grant program to
encourage the sale and lease of zero-emission industrial trucks.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section I. Zero-emission industrial truck is defined as a Class I, II,
or III industrial truck that produces no Criteria pollutant, toxic air
contaminant, or greenhouse gas emissions when stationary or operating.
This bill provides incentives via financial assistance for corporations
and businesses to purchase or lease zero-emission industrial trucks. The
authority will set the eligibility criteria and award grants as long as
funds are available. The grant amount will be determined based on vehi-
cle type, energy source, and vehicle weight class but shall not be less
than ten percent of the total cost. The grants will be funded through
the annual appropriation or any other funds received by the state for
the purposes of this bill, including but not limited to the clean energy
fund.
Section 2. Effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The fight to lower greenhouse gas emissions is multifaceted; with the
increased popularity of zero-emission and hybrid vehicles, the time to
encourage the switch to zero-emission in all available forms of vehicles
or equipment is necessary. According to the Electric Power Institue
(ERPI), zero-emission industrial trucks, also known as forklifts, are
better for the environment, cheaper to operate, and have reduced mainte-
nance costs. The overall cost comparison is well worth the initial capi-
tal investment. Electric forklifts save over $29,000 per year in compar-
ison to propane and over $37,000 in comparison to diesel. These massive
savings are due to the energy cost reduction being over 80 percent lower
than propane or diesel.
This legislation allows the New York State Energy Research and Develop-
ment Authority to develop a grant program to encourage the purchase or
lease of zero-emission industrial trucks. This will lessen the initial
capital investment so corporations and businesses can receive the bene-
fits of lower energy, operation, and maintenance costs while eliminating
harmful emissions.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022-A10353
2023-24: A794A
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately
