NYC plans 600 curbside EV chargers, with eight neighborhoods first in line
The city will grow its street charging network from 88 chargers to nearly 700 over three years. Cars parked in the spots without charging can be ticketed.
The New York City Department of Transportation plans to add 600 curbside electric vehicle charging points over the next three years. The expansion would grow the street network from 88 Level 2 chargers to nearly 700 across all five boroughs.
Level 2 chargers recharge a car while it stays parked for several hours. The current chargers are in heavy use, according to the department. Cars occupy the 88 curbside spots more than 70 percent of the time, and some locations come close to 99 percent. While a car is parked, the chargers are delivering power more than 85 percent of the time. Electric vehicles made up 8.3 percent of new vehicle registrations in the city.
Where the new curbside EV chargers go first
The first round targets neighborhoods with dense housing, little off-street parking and large numbers of drivers licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. In Manhattan, that means Washington Heights and the Upper West Side. Rego Park, Forest Hills and Far Rockaway are on the list in Queens, along with Red Hook, Carroll Gardens and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. The city is taking public comments on the proposed sites through an online portal.
Chargers will compete for curb space with parking, bus lanes, bike infrastructure and loading zones. The department said it will coordinate charger locations with pedestrian, bike, public space and bus projects to keep streets flexible for future changes.
What EV charging will cost and the parking rule
The city has not set a final price. The department said rates will be set with affordability and turnover in mind. Drivers will be able to pay by tapping a credit card or through several apps, with fees based on how much electricity they use. Only electric vehicles plugged into a charger may legally park in the marked spaces, and vehicles parked there without charging can be ticketed.
Commissioner Mike Flynn said drivers who still use cars need to “dramatically accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.” The city is also adding 92 fast-charging points and 180 more Level 2 points at city-owned parking fields and garages. Curbside charging began as a pilot with Con Edison in 2021, and those chargers are still available after the pilot ended.
Quick answers
Which neighborhoods get the new curbside EV chargers first?
Washington Heights and the Upper West Side in Manhattan; Rego Park, Forest Hills and Far Rockaway in Queens; and Red Hook, Carroll Gardens and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn.
How much will curbside EV charging cost?
No final price has been announced. Fees will be based on the electricity used, paid by credit card tap or through apps.
Can you park in an EV charging spot without charging?
No. Only electric vehicles plugged into a charger may park there, and other vehicles can be ticketed.
