Local Law 17B: What New York Property Owners Need to Know About the EV Charger Mandates

As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity, buildings with parking lots or garages face growing expectations to accommodate this demand. In cities like New York, mandates such as Local Law 17B are mandating landlords to install EV charging stations to ensure their properties remain relevant and attractive to tenants. 

Local Law 17B requires parking lots with ten or more spaces to have 20% of spaces equipped with Level 2 chargers and 40% capable of supporting Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (“EVSE”) by 2035, with stricter requirements for new construction or major renovations. Meeting these standards will require significant infrastructure upgrades.

It’s also important to consider nuanced incentives. For instance, there’s flexibility built into Local Law 17B where ultra-fast Level 3 chargers count as 10 Level 2 chargers. “That helps you play with the math of the 20 percent goal,” noted a New York-based senior electrical engineer.

For landlords, the shift towards EV readiness isn’t just about compliance—it’s about staying competitive. Properties without charging capabilities risk losing tenants or business to better-equipped rivals. Offering EV chargers enhances a property’s appeal, because tenants may be otherwise unable to charge their EVs, which are increasingly dominating the new car sales market. 

EV charging installation comes with sizable upfront costs, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, programs like Con Edison’s PowerReady offer incentives that can offset up to 90% of EV infrastructure expenses for public chargers, making these projects more financially feasible. However, less than $100M in funding remains for companies ready to take action now.

Challenges in Implementing EV Charging Infrastructure

Installing commercial EV chargers is a complex process that involves more than just adding outlets. For many buildings (especially many of the older properties across New York), it means upgrading electrical systems to handle the additional load, obtaining permits, and managing ongoing maintenance. 

Costs can range from $7,000 per charger to six-figure investments for larger systems with multiple chargers. Moreover, infrastructure limitations, like insufficient utility capacity, can stall projects. In some cases, developers face delays if the local power grid requires upgrades, such as new substations, to meet demand.

Some property owners may be tempted to wait for the prices of chargers to decrease, but if they lose access to the incentives, they may end up paying significantly more–and becoming required by law to pay out of pocket in the future to ensure they comply. The difference could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings, with the option of installing ultra-fast Level 3 chargers right now at the same price as smaller, less effective chargers. It’s a future-thinking model that can help ensure the property performs at the highest capacity, as newer EVs demand more power (and in turn need access to faster chargers). 

Companies like Source Forward offer numerous solutions to help property owners find and implement incentives for their projects and get the incentives before they disappear. Matching the best chargers to each project is one part of comprehensive support that many busy companies rely on to see projects through from start to finish. Beyond the logistics of getting the proper chargers, businesses may need to upgrade infrastructure to support the new load. When landlords can meet tenant needs efficiently and at minimal project cost, it becomes a win-win for everyone.

Incentives and Planning for EV Chargers

For landlords looking to upgrade, utility programs like Con Edison’s PowerReady initiative provide substantial financial support–although resources are limited so it’s critical to act as soon as possible. In New York City, this program has already helped install nearly 9,000 Level 2 chargers and over 400 DC fast chargers. The incentives can cover up to 50% of infrastructure costs for private chargers or 90% for publicly accessible ones. For example, adding 25 Level 2 chargers to an apartment complex could qualify for up to $7,500 per plug, while public chargers can receive up to $13,500 per plug.

To take advantage of these incentives, property owners should start by consulting with a company with deep expertise, such as Source Forward. The benefit of working with professionals is that they can help oversee the project from start to finish. 

They can meet with local utilities to assess the electrical capacity and outline project needs. Once preliminary plans are in place, submitting engineering documents and site layouts is essential to ensure eligibility for programs like PowerReady. With funding going fast—only $100 million remains in Con Edison’s budget—early action is critical for property owners and landlords who want to secure support for their new EV charging spaces.

Now Is the Time to Act

The shift to EVs is accelerating, and landlords who invest in charging infrastructure now will be ahead of the curve. While it’s important to comply with mandates, adding EV chargers can also turn parking spaces into revenue streams, attract sustainability-minded tenants, and future-proof properties for the growing EV market. With significant incentives available and innovative solutions to minimize costs, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.

For expert guidance on navigating EV charger installations and securing incentives, Source Forward is here to help. With a comprehensive team of project managers, engineers, rebate administrators, and certified electricians blended with unique software, we’re able to handle large-scale installs completely end to end. Working with the 2023 Con Ed developer of the year and with the most charging stations deployed in Con Ed territory, we’ve successfully helped install many of New York’s largest charger installations from start to finish. Contact us today to explore tailored solutions for your property!

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