NYC Installing 600 EV Chargers Right at the Curb

For millions of New Yorkers who park on the street, switching to an electric vehicle has meant one big headache: where do you charge it? The city just solved that problem.

New York City is installing 600 new curbside EV charging stations across all five boroughs over the next three years. The expansion will grow the PlugNYC network from just 88 charging points to nearly 700, bringing electric vehicle ownership within reach for the half of city car owners who don't have driveways or garages.

The first locations will span the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, with priority given to densely populated neighborhoods where most people park on the street. The city launched an online portal where residents can weigh in on proposed charging spots in their communities.

The timing couldn't be better. Current demand shows the 88 existing chargers are occupied more than 70% of the time, with some stations hitting 99% usage. Four of the five busiest spots are in Upper Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens, where many taxi and rideshare drivers live and work.

Each new station will have at least four charging points, and only actively charging vehicles can use the spaces. Drivers can pay with a credit card tap or through apps, with the city controlling pricing to keep charging affordable while encouraging people to move along once they're done.

The Ripple Effect

This rollout does more than help individual drivers go electric. Taxi and rideshare drivers alone are already completing around 3 million electric trips each month in New York City. Making charging easier for these professional drivers means cleaner air for everyone who lives and breathes in the city.

The smart planning extends beyond just cars. Where possible, the city will install extra electrical connections for e-bike charging cabinets, electrified bike-share docks, and cargo bike charging. This "dig once" approach means they won't have to tear up the curb again when those services expand.

The city is also adding 92 fast-charging points and 180 Level 2 charging points at city-owned parking lots and garages, with some locations already under construction or complete. Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn says that while walking, biking, and transit remain the priority, those who drive need better electric options now.

Electric vehicles currently account for 8.3% of new vehicle registrations in New York City, and that number keeps climbing as charging becomes less of a barrier and more of a neighborhood amenity.