The New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has launched a $70m electric car rebate and an outreach initiative to increase the usage of clean and non-polluting electric car in the city and also encourage and promote carbon emissions reduction in the transportation sector.

The Drive Clean rebates will be offered to all New York residents who purchase eligible electric cars through participating car dealers.

Cuomo said: "Reducing vehicle emissions is a critical part of this administration’s efforts to fight climate change and reduce New York’s carbon footprint.

"These highly-anticipated rebates will make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible and support this state’s nation-leading efforts to build a cleaner, greener New York for generations to come."

The government will be providing a rebate of up to $2,000 for the purchase of a new plug-in hybrid electric car, all-electric car or hydrogen fuel cell car, from $55m Drive Clean Initiative.

"Reducing vehicle emissions is a critical part of this administration’s efforts to fight climate change and reduce New York’s carbon footprint."

The government of New York has also allocated $15m that will be used towards improving consumer awareness about electric vehicles and also educating them about the benefits of installation of more charging stations, developing and demonstrating new electric car-enabling technologies.

Currently, more than 30 electric car models are available under the Drive Clean Rebate initiative.

The new initiative will be promoted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in order to support the state in achieving its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030.

Image: An electric car. Photo: courtesy of New York State Government.