Brooklyn is about to get a major upgrade to its electric vehicle infrastructure, and it's a game changer for urban charging. XCharge North America has partnered with Energy Plus, a New York based energy efficiency contractor, to build one of the largest battery-backed EV charging depots in the United States. The site in Williamsburg is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2026, and it promises to make charging accessible, reliable, and grid-friendly for city dwellers.

The facility will house 44 GridLink units, which are innovative charging stations that combine DC fast charging with integrated battery storage. Each unit can deliver up to 300 kilowatts of power, and together they'll provide an impressive 9.46 megawatt-hours of battery storage capacity across 88 parking spaces. That's enough power to charge dozens of vehicles quickly while keeping the electrical grid stable and efficient.

What makes this project particularly exciting is its smart approach to energy management. The GridLink system charges its batteries during off-peak hours when electricity demand is low, then releases that stored power when drivers need it most. This clever strategy helps smooth out peak electricity loads, reduces strain on New York's already taxed power grid, and helps keep energy costs more manageable for everyone.

The Bright Side

In a dense urban environment like Brooklyn, where grid capacity and high electricity costs present ongoing challenges, this battery-backed charging solution offers real benefits that extend beyond just EV owners. By adding decentralized energy storage at the neighborhood level, the project supports New York City's broader goals for energy resilience and affordability. The bidirectional power flow capability means the system can actually help buffer the grid during times of peak demand, making the entire local power infrastructure more stable.

Energy Plus is operating the site under its Eplug brand, which focuses specifically on high-demand urban environments. Their approach emphasizes compact footprints and locations that fit naturally into daily city life, placing charging stations where people already live, work, and travel. This makes charging convenient rather than requiring special trips to out-of-the-way locations.

The Williamsburg depot will serve both individual EV owners and commercial fleets. For fleet operators, the site offers fast turnarounds, reliable uptime, and predictable scheduling, making the transition to electric vehicles more practical for businesses. Energy Plus envisions this Brooklyn location as a blueprint for similar projects in other major American cities, with plans to offer transparent pricing, loyalty programs with preferred rates and rewards, and partnerships with nearby businesses to maintain strong community connections.

This project represents the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure that makes sustainable transportation accessible and practical for everyday city residents. It's a bright example of how innovative technology and smart urban planning can work together to create cleaner, more resilient cities for everyone.