The Empire State Strikes Back - Let our voices be heard!

After restricting Tesla’s ability to set up sales offices in NYS, Tesla and vehicle owners once again find themselves being discriminated against by the New York Public Service Commission.

Let's respond as a club - action steps at the end of this message!

Background:

The New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC), a State entity funded through the State budget (our tax money), authorized NY utilities to offer incentive electricity rates for new DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations with the goal of encouraging and promoting EV adoption New York State. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has committed up to $250 million through 2025 to invest in EV infrastructure including deployment of DCFC chargers along the NYS Thruway and other key corridors. (source)

The DCFC chargers NYPA plans to deploy would have ChadeMo and CCS connectors (Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles can use the ChadeMo connectors with an adaptor). The incentive electricity rates from NYPSC will spur additional charging investments and keep the charging cost down to encourage consumers, both in-state and out-of-state, to drive Electric Vehicles of all makes and brands and to a great extent, reduce range anxiety and increase adoption.

Now here's the big problem:

The NYPSC is excluding Tesla Superchargers from receiving the subsidized rate because Tesla Supercharger connectors only work with Tesla vehicles and not with other EVs. Without the incentive, NYS Tesla owners (also NYS taxpayers) will have to pay higher rates at the Tesla Supercharging stations. You can read more about this issue here.

The NYPSC exclusion has many issues:

1. It is clear discrimination against Tesla and Tesla owners.
2. Since Tesla vehicles represent about 80% of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) on the road, they exclude the bulk of the EV drivers from receiving the benefits.
3. NYS Tesla drivers are also NYS taxpayers and NYPSC, as a State agency, cannot deprive NYS residents from benefits offered by NYS.
4. The NYPSC, by the act of excluding Tesla from the incentive, can be perceived as endorsing the ChadeMo and CCS technologies over that of Tesla's Superchargers.
5. The NYPSC, as a State agency, should be impartial to all charging technologies, regardless of connector designs, technologies, and vehicle manufacturers.

Here is a link to the NYPSC case, where you can read about Tesla’s petition for a rehearing.

Message from Tesla:

Tesla has already requested a petition for rehearing to allow Tesla to benefit from the program and we could use your support to urge the NYPSC to grant Tesla’s petition for the upcoming rehearing. If you believe the NYPSC should not prohibit your ability to take part in a beneficial program that would lower electricity rates for Tesla chargers, please take a few minutes to send your comments to the NYPSC.

*** All hands on deck: Action steps for Tesla owners ***

1. Spread the word about this issue to the other NY Tesla owners - Forward this email to other owners you know. There's over 12,000 Tesla owners living in NY State, which is an army just waiting to be mobilized.

2. Then tell them about Tesla Owners Club New York State - Have them register for free at https://www.tocnys.org/register. The more members we have, the louder our collective voice gets, and the more influential we become.

3. Create and send a petition to the NYPSC below

Tips:

• The petition form will have pre-populated content, but we strongly encourage you to personalize your message as much as possible.
  
  
• Mentioning that you are a member of Tesla Owners Club New York State, and a NYS voter will add extra weight to your petition. Comments submitted as a TOCNYS member add credibility because it shows you are a verified Tesla owner with no ulterior motives.
  
  
• It would be helpful for you to share your experience as a driver and how the Supercharger network has been important to you (and whether you want access to more charging, where there are gaps in charging, etc).

Click here to write and send your petition!

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