New York State vs NYC: EV Charging Mandates Explained

As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction across the Northeast, both state and local governments are setting new standards for EV charging infrastructure in residential and commercial developments. Most recently, New York State enacted Senate Bill S1736E, effective April 1, 2025, following New York City’s Local Law 55, which took effect on April 6, 2024. With two overlapping sets of requirements, developers in the Big Apple now face the challenge of navigating both laws, depending on their project’s location and specifications.

While both aim to accelerate EV readiness, there are key differences in scope and authority that property owners should understand—especially those building in NYC.

State vs. City: Which Mandate Takes Precedence for Multifamily?

For multifamily buildings, New York State’s mandate overrules Local Law 55. Under state law, any new multifamily residential construction with off-street parking must meet higher requirements than those set by the city:

New York State Mandate (S1736E):

• Applies to new construction with parking statewide.

• 100% of parking spaces must be EV-ready.

• 20% of parking spaces must have Level 2 chargers installed.

NYC Local Law 55 of 2024:

• For newly constructed buildings with parking: 20% of spaces must have Level 2 chargers installed, and 60% must be EV-capable (wired but not yet equipped).

• For existing buildings with parking: 20% of spaces must have Level 2 chargers installed, and 60% must be EV-capable by January 1, 2035.

How Else Do These Mandates Compare?

While New York State’s EV mandate overrides New York City’s Local Law 55 for new multifamily buildings, both laws still apply across a wider range of development scenarios—and the differences matter depending on the building type and timing.

For example, commercial buildings are addressed differently under each mandate. Under NYC Local Law 55, all new buildings with parking—regardless of type—must meet a 20% installed / 60% EV-capable standard, while existing buildings with 10 or more spaces must meet a 20% installed / 40% capable threshold by January 1, 2035.

In contrast, New York State’s mandate, which applies to new construction only, is more nuanced by building type. It requires 10% installed and 10% EV-ready spaces for commercial buildings with over 10 parking spaces, but just one EV-ready space for those with 10 or fewer. It also exempts affordable housing from EV readiness requirements and sets a distinct standard for one- to three-family homes (no chargers installed, but one wired space per unit).

Both mandates allow for a DC fast charger to count in place of up to 10 Level 2 chargers, limited to 50% of the total required installations.

NYC's Minimum for EVSE Load Management

One key difference between the two mandates is how New York City regulates EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) performance. Local Law 55 specifies that when using a load management system, such as PlugOp's, each EV charger must maintain a minimum charging rate of 3.1 kW per vehicle. This ensures a baseline level of service for EV drivers, even when power is being shared among multiple chargers.

By contrast, New York State’s mandate does not set a minimum charging rate, allowing for more flexibility in how power is distributed across EVSE in new developments.

A Growing Trend Across the Northeast

New York State’s mandate is part of a larger shift across the Northeast, where now a majority of states have passed legislation requiring EV infrastructure for new construction builds. Here's how neighboring states are moving:

• New Jersey – 5% of parking spaces must have EV chargers installed, 10% must be EV-ready, with an additional 5% installed every 3 years for 6 years.

• Connecticut – 10% of parking spaces must be EV-capable in new developments with 30 or more spaces.

• Rhode Island – 5–10% of parking spaces must have EV chargers installed, depending on the size of the parking facility.

• Massachusetts –

  • Base Code: 10% EV-ready for developments with more than 40 spaces.

  • Stretch & Specialized Code: 20% EV-ready for multifamily (Group R & B), 10% for other occupancies.

• Vermont – Requirements vary by occupancy type, with up to 50% EV-capable spaces in some residential buildings.

If you're unsure how these mandates apply to your specific project, our EV Readiness Calculator can help clarify the requirements based on your location and building type.

Planning Ahead with PlugOp

Navigating the patchwork of EV readiness mandates across different cities and states can be complex—but you don’t have to do it alone. At PlugOp, we work with developers, property owners, and project teams to ensure EV charging infrastructure is designed to meet both current requirements and future demand. Whether you're starting a new development or updating an existing property, we help you plan, install, and manage EV charging solutions that align with evolving regulations and your project's unique needs.