6 Million Awarded to Integrate Electric Vehicles Into New York’s Electric Grid

Solutions Enhance Grid Flexibility, Accommodate Energy Demand, and Lower Costs for Consumers

May 21, 2026

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced over $6 million has been awarded to seven projects to advance technologies that can help integrate electric vehicles efficiently into New York’s electric grid. Through the State’s Vehicle Grid Integration Program, the awarded projects will advance solutions to enhance grid flexibility, shift charging to accommodate energy demand, and lower charging costs for consumers.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA is proud to partner with forward-thinking companies that are pushing the boundaries of vehicle-to-grid innovation and demonstrating new ways to manage and deliver energy more intelligently. Advancing these technologies will help unlock greater value from electric vehicles, support a more flexible energy system, and create new opportunities to modernize how power is shared and utilized across the state.”

NYSERDA’s Vehicle Grid Integration Program  competitively awards projects that are scalable and advance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure through product development, technology demonstrations, or new business models. Technologies include bi-directional charging, energy storage, on-site energy generation, and EV managed charging.

The awarded projects include:

• Bringing V2G Technology to New York Refuse Trucks: More than $1.6 million was awarded to Roundtrip EV Solutions to demonstrate bi-directional, fast charging in four refuse trucks for two municipal fleets in Ulster County.

• Gravity VGI Platform: Nearly $1 million was awarded to Gravity to develop a bidirectional Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) platform to reduce EV charging station installation costs and balance energy by allowing EVs to feed power back to buildings in Manhattan.

• Integrating Refrigerated Trailers and Thermal Storage into NY Power Grid: Nearly $1 million was awarded to Energy One to develop and demonstrate a platform that integrates electric refrigerated trailers (eTRUs) with building-based thermal energy storage at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in Brooklyn.

• Joint Planning of Charging Networks and Power Grids for Diverse EV Integration: More than $700,000 was awarded to New York University to develop a comprehensive EV planning software tool for utility stakeholders to address gaps in EV charging infrastructure deployment and power grid upgrade planning in New York City.

• Optiwatt Long Island EV - VGI Transformer Protection Demonstration: More than $600,000 was awarded to Optiwatt for demonstration projects on Long Island where customers can use an active EV managed charging platform that balances energy loads.

• Pvilion's Solar Powered Integrated Structures (SPIS): $500,000 was awarded to Pvilion to demonstrate a portable, solar-powered off-road EV charging solution using its Solar Power Integrated Structure (SPIS) with electric construction equipment at Westchester Tool Rentals in Peekskill and with electric farm equipment at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Manufacturing Innovation Learning Laboratory in Troy.

• Wireless Static and Dynamic EV Charging Project: $1 million was awarded to Electreon Wireless to demonstrate wireless charging for electric shuttle vans that reduce grid interconnection costs, lower peak energy demand, and improve fleet operating efficiency in Buffalo.

New York State Senator Kevin Parker said, “New York is proving that the transition to clean transportation is not just about putting more electric vehicles on the road it’s about building a smarter, stronger, and more affordable energy system for the future. Through the sustained leadership of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, which I am proud to chair, we have helped advance the policy framework and innovation agenda that made investments like these possible. By prioritizing vehicle-grid integration, supporting emerging technologies, and ensuring New York remains at the forefront of clean energy deployment, we are delivering real solutions that lower costs for consumers, strengthen grid reliability, and accelerate our progress toward a more resilient and equitable energy future. From Brooklyn to Buffalo, these projects reflect what is possible when government, industry, and research institutions work together to turn bold climate goals into practical action for working families across the state.”

New York State Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “I am pleased to see these funds being allocated to build our electric vehicle infrastructure. These projects are important to making the electric vehicle transition affordable and practical.”

Alliance for Transportation Electrification Executive Director Philip B. Jones said, “Across the country, we are achieving much greater scale in EV adoption and infrastructure as consumers prefer to purchase EVs as a superior technology. Vehicle grid integration solutions can unlock more savings for all at this greater scale. I am delighted that these innovative programs have been recognized by NYSERDA and that they can move forward now.”

Vehicle Grid Integration Council (VGIC) Executive Director Zach Woogen said, “New York continues to demonstrate national leadership in vehicle-grid integration by supporting innovative projects that move these technologies from concept to real-world deployment. Investments in managed charging platforms, bidirectional charging solutions, and charger-paired distributed energy resources help unlock EVs as a critical grid resource. These solutions enhance system reliability, community resilience, grid utilization, and energy affordability for all users of the electric grid, not just EV drivers.”

New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) Consortium Executive Director Dr. William Acker said, “The efficient integration of electrified transportation with the electric grid creates an opportunity to improve reliability and affordability. NY-BEST applauds NYSERDA's vehicle grid integration program which is advancing key technologies like bi-directional charging and the use of energy storage to improve grid utilization and flexibility, directly impacting ratepayer cost.”

Today’s announcement builds on New York State’s investments in technologies, new products, and solutions to address energy costs and demand and support a reliable electric grid. NYSERDA invests over $96 million per year through its innovation and research programs to attract world class energy innovators, reduce risk for private investors, and remove barriers to clean energy adoption in New York State, leveraging $15 in additional investment for every $1 spent. NYSERDA has partnered with over 900 companies that have helped make more than 300 products commercially available for consumers, businesses, and utilities.

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is investing nearly $3 billion in zero-emission vehicles and expanding access to clean transportation to benefit all New Yorkers, including those in low-income or disadvantaged communities. In addition to the Drive Clean Rebate Program other state initiatives include the EV Make Ready , Charge Ready 2.0, EVolve NY , the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), the New York School Bus Incentive Program and the Direct Current Fast Charger Program.

Funding for this initiative is through the Clean Energy Fund (CEF).