ChargePoint, an online electric vehicle (EV) charging stations network, and National Grid have unveiled the first of many electric vehicle charging stations to be built under a public/private partnership (PPP) with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The new ChargePoint EV charging station, which can charge two cars simultaneously, has been deployed at the Homewood Suites on Wolf Road in Colonie.

"The investment being made through this public-private partnership will not only lead to a reduction in emissions from the transportation sector but will help stimulate economic activity."

Under this PPP, which supports the Charge NY programme launched by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, more than 80 EV charging stations will be installed across New York State, of which 67 will be deployed in National Grid’s service area in upstate New York.

NYSERDA is providing a $1m grant for the programme, with ChargePoint and National Grid providing an additional $550,000.

New York, which has one of the highest growth rates of EVs in the country, currently has about 4,000 vehicles registered.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the number of EVs in the state has tripled over the past year.

NYSERDA president and CEO Francis Murray Jr. said that the EV charging infrastructure being developed across New York state will encourage and accommodate consumers in the purchase of electric vehicles.

"The investment being made through this public-private partnership will not only lead to a reduction in emissions from the transportation sector but will help stimulate economic activity," he said.

In early 2013, Governor Cuomo announced Charge NY, a new initiative to promote EVs by investing $50m over five years.

The programme involves installation of 3,000 public and workplace charging stations by 2018, along with other steps meant to encourage the expansion of EV ownership.

The state anticipates the number of EVs to increase to at least 40,000 by 2018, and a million by 2025.