NYC is putting 600 new EV charging points right at the curb

New York City plans to add 600 new curbside EV charging points across all five boroughs over the next three years. The city's Department of Transportation currently runs just 88 curbside Level 2 chargers (a common charger type that takes several hours for a full charge) through its PlugNYC network, so the expansion will bring the total to nearly 700.

First proposed locations include parts of the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, with more neighborhoods to follow. The city is prioritizing dense areas with limited off-street parking and places where many taxi and rideshare drivers live, since about half of car owners in the city park on the street and can't charge at home. Residents can comment on proposed sites through an online portal NYC DOT has set up. Each new station will have at least four charging points, and only cars actively charging can park there. Drivers will pay by credit card or app, though the per-kilowatt-hour price hasn't been set yet.

This news mainly affects New York City residents, particularly those who park on the street and are weighing an EV purchase. If you live in one of the listed neighborhoods, or nearby, it's worth watching for updates on exact charger locations and timing, since the current chargers are already busy more than 70% of the time. Homeowners elsewhere won't see a direct effect, but the project reflects a broader push by cities to expand public charging for people without home charging access.