Pictured: Michael Prinzi, President, PPR Energy Solutions, Whitney Skeans, EV Program Manager, National Grid, Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia
The National Grid programme enabled the installation of 16 charging plugs for electric vehicles
Press release
BATAVIA, NY – Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has installed 16 Level 2 electric vehicle charging plugs as part of National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Make-Ready Program for use by visitors to one of Western New York’s most popular entertainment destinations.
For the project, National Grid’s program provided $96,000 in electric vehicle incentives, which covered approximately 78% of infrastructure-related construction costs, including labor and materials costs. A total of 16 Level 2 plugs were installed in two parking lots: Twelve in the main parking lot, the remaining four in the VIP/valet parking lot. In addition to the newly installed plugs, this project investment also provided Batavia Downs with funds to expand existing power infrastructure and create future electric vehicle charging opportunities as driver demand increases and additional plugs are needed.
Video of the press conference on August 28, 2024
Batavia Downs officials say they are available to assist guests who visit the facility during the many events and promotions taking place on site.
“Initial meetings were held with National Grid last year to discuss the potential for such a project,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “Construction on the electric vehicle charging stations, which began earlier this year, was completed over the summer. Buffalo-based electric vehicle charging contractor PPR Energy Solutions installed the plugs. With demand for such amenities increasing, we are planning promotions and hotel offers that could be attractive to guests with electric vehicles.”
“As more drivers choose electric vehicles, this project provides an increasingly sought-after amenity for both guests and residents as National Grid partners with customers like Batavia Downs to advance New York’s clean transportation future,” said Whitney Skeans, National Grid’s EV Make-Ready Program Manager, adding that the charging stations can be found by electric vehicle drivers through popular charging station locator apps. “We are always grateful for the opportunity to partner with companies like Batavia Downs who are leading the way in their commitment to economics, convenience and value for the electric vehicle drivers of today and for years to come.”
The project also received funding from NYSERDA’s Charge Ready 2.0 program, which provides hardware rebates for Level 2 charging stations that further reduce the overall cost of projects for workplaces, public facilities and multifamily housing throughout New York State.
More about National Grid’s Make Ready program
National Grid’s Upstate New York EV Make-Ready program helps commercial customers finance up to 100% of the project costs of installing electric infrastructure. Recent projects like the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at the Aquarium of Niagara and the Village of Ellicottville demonstrate how collaboratively National Grid works with its customers to achieve shared clean energy goals. The company plans to invest more than $150 million in Make-Ready incentives to install 9,000 outlets across Upstate New York by the end of 2025—including 3,000 across Western New York State.
These projects also align with New York State’s climate change initiatives, which call for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and adopting zero-emission vehicles by 2035. New York State provided additional support to achieve these goals in November when it announced additional infrastructure funding to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and spur $4 billion in electric vehicle charging infrastructure investment.
For more information about National Grid’s EV Make-Ready program, email [email protected].
About Batavia Downs/WROTB
The Western Region Off-Track Betting Corporation is a non-profit corporation based in Batavia, NY. WROTB owns and operates nine locations and Batavia Downs Gaming, a classic-style racetrack and gaming facility. Since its inception, Western Region OTB has generated over $232 million in operating and ancillary revenues for taxpayers in participating communities.
About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas and clean energy company serving more than 20 million people through its grids in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger and cleaner energy future – we are transforming our grids with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet government climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
