Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, D-Brooklyn, is pictured earlier this year on the Assembly floor. Cunningham has introduced legislation creating a new electric vehicle incentive program.

A state lawmaker is looking to add a $500 incentive to those who trade in a gas-powered car to buy their first electric vehicle.

Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, D-Brooklyn, recently introduced legislation (A.10698) creating the new reimbursement program.

“In summary, providing $500 grants through the DMV to support the switch from fuel-based cars to electric vehicles aligns with New York state’s environmental goals and offers economic advantages to residents,” Cunningham wrote in his legislative justification. “The initiative would contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, while also making EVs more financially accessible and encouraging economic growth in the green technology sector. ”

NYSERDA already offers a $2,000 rebate for the purchase or lease of eligible electric vehicles while the federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualifying electric vehicles.

Such incentives haven’t been enough, according to June polling. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they would be at least somewhat likely to buy an EV the next time they buy a car, according to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, while 46% say they are not too likely or not at all likely to purchase one. The poll showed 21% of U.S. adults say they are “very” or “extremely” likely to buy an EV for their next car, according to the poll, and 21% call it somewhat likely. Worries about cost are widespread, as are other practical concerns.

“From an economic perspective, the cost of electric vehicles has been a major barrier for many individuals. Despite the decreasing prices of EVs, the initial investment remains higher compared to traditional fuel-based cars. By offering a $500 grant, New York State can make electric vehicles more financially accessible for average consumers. This financial support can ease the upfront costs, making it a more viable option for a broader segment of the population. Additionally, as more people adopt EVs, there will be a greater demand for related technologies and infrastructure, such as charging stations. This can stimulate job creation and economic growth in these emerging sectors, providing a boost to local economies,” Cunningham wrote.

Range anxiety – the idea that EVs cannot go far enough on a single charge and may leave a driver stranded — continues to be a major reason why many Americans do not purchase electric vehicles. About half of U.S. adults cite worries about range as a major reason not to buy an EV. About 4 in 10 say a major strike against EVs is that they take too long to charge or they don’t know of any public charging stations nearby, according to the AP-NORC poll.