Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #21-021
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Contact: Scott Gastel/Alana Morales (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT, Con Edison, and FLO Unveil New York City's First Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The City’s first curbside electric-vehicle charging station has been installed in the Norwood section of the Bronx; 100 curbside ports across the five boroughs will be installed by October, providing a convenient charging option as EV use surges
THE BRONX -- The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), Con Edison, and FLO today announced the installation of the first of 100 curbside Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports expected by this October. The citywide pilot program aims to increase the adoption of EVs, critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and will enable New York City to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The four-year demonstration kicked off today in the Norwood section of the Bronx, where new rules limit parking at the new charging stations to electric vehicles.
"Transportation is responsible for nearly 30% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, most of which come from passenger cars," said NYC DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "With sales of EVs at record levels, now is the time to develop a robust, convenient and publicly-accessible charging network so that more New Yorkers can go electric. The new charger we put into service today, and more coming soon, will help fulfill our agency’s mission of providing safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation – and we thank our partners at Con Edison and FLO for making it possible."
"Convenient curbside charging for EVs is a game-changer especially for those without access to private parking and charging ports," said Lenny Singh, Senior Vice President of Con Edison’s Customer Energy Solutions. "We’re working closely with the city and state to make it easier for all New Yorkers to replace gas-powered cars with zero-emission electric vehicles, and enjoy the benefits of cleaner air and a healthier environment as Con Edison continues its efforts to achieve its clean energy goals."
"The future is coming, and it’s electric!" said Ben Furnas, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability. "After the most transformative year on New York City streets in generations, we are going further to reclaim our streets from fossil fuel vehicles by providing more New Yorkers with access to curbside EV charging stations. Even as we transform our streetscape to make it safer and more pleasant to get around on foot, by bike, and on transit, a shift towards electric vehicles will mean cleaner air, quieter neighborhoods, and lower greenhouse gas emissions for all New Yorkers. Congratulations to the Department of Transportation and Con Edison on this exciting milestone."
Providing EV charging at the curb will make the switch to electric easier for more New Yorkers, including the 50% of EV owners who park on the street. The program was made possible through funding by the New York State Public Service Commission’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative.
Electric-vehicle use has grown dramatically in recent years: New York City now has nearly 15,000 registered EVs, over 5,000 of which were purchased just in the last year. With that growth, new charging stations must come online to meet growing demand: right now, over 1,400 Level 2 charging plugs (which can provide an 80% charge in four to eight hours) and 117 fast charging plugs (providing an 80% charge in 30 - 60 minutes) can be found within New York City, with the vast majority located in Manhattan parking garages. The curbside pilot program will bring 100 Level 2 charging ports to over 20 neighborhoods across the five boroughs, with 20 additional charging ports serving city fleet vehicles. Charger port locations were selected based on input from local elected officials and community stakeholders, geographic diversity, and projected demand for charging. DOT and Con Edison will evaluate the performance of the charging stations over the course of the pilot period.
FLO, a leading North American charging network operator for EVs is providing the charging units and will manage the network under contract with Con Edison. Each FLO unit is equipped with a standard connector compatible with most electric vehicles, has a retractable cord management system, and has a robust design intended for public deployment. The chargers also feature a custom exterior to match the look and feel of New York City’s family of street furniture, as approved by the Public Design Commission. Charging will cost $2.50 per hour during the day (7am-7pm) and $1.00 per hour overnight. A daytime charge will be equivalent to fueling up at a gas station, while overnight charging may be over 60% cheaper.
"We are very pleased to inaugurate our first FLO chargers in New York today, beginning with the Bronx. This is an important milestone for FLO as we deploy our network across all five boroughs and accelerate our expansion in the United States," said Louis Tremblay, President and CEO of FLO. "Widespread EV adoption needs to be supported by reliable and accessible charging infrastructure. Thanks to a fruitful collaboration with Con Edison and NYCDOT, this is exactly what we are starting to present to New Yorkers today."
"Transportation is rapidly evolving and I commend Commissioner Gutman, Con Edison, and FLO on today’s announcement to meet the needs of residents and our environment with the installation of electric vehicle charging ports at select locations throughout the city," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. "Smart infrastructure is the future, and as we continue to make critical investments for the betterment of our community, we must ensure that the innovation is inclusive, accessible and affordable for all."
"The future of our transportation sector is emission-free, and today's installation of electric vehicle chargers in Norwood is a huge step towards that goal," said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. "We must prepare for a future of cars and buses that do not run on fossil fuels. I look forward to a continued expansion of DOT's zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and thank you to Commissioner Gutman for pushing this program forward for our city."
"As more New Yorkers are transitioning into greener modes of transportation, we need to ensure we’re doing our part by in installing the necessary infrastructure that will make the switch to electric vehicles effortless. I hope that the City can continue expanding initiatives that will help make electric vehicles more accessible to low-income New Yorkers," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Transportation Committee. "I look forward to continuing to work with DOT Commissioner Gutman, my colleagues at the Council, and advocates to ensure we continue expanding on initiatives that will make our City more environmentally friendly."
"As Chair of the New York City Council’s Environmental Committee, I am proud to support this initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution," said Council Member James F. Gennaro, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection. "By installing 120 new curbside charging stations, we are sending an important message to New Yorkers -- that making the switch to an electric vehicle has never been easier. I would like to thank Commissioner Gutman, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Con Edison and FLO for all of their hard work to make New York City more environmentally-friendly."
"Though we all know how vital it is to reduce carbon emissions, most Bronxites cannot choose to purchase electric vehicles because of a lack of infrastructure. The citywide pilot program to install 100 new Level 2 charging ports is a huge step in the right direction," Council Member Eric Dinowitz said. "We are grateful to have the partnership of the DOT, ConEd, and FLO in this venture. We hope that the program will guide New York City into becoming a model for green transportation. It will not only make it environmentally conscious, but also practical for Bronxites to choose an electric vehicle."
"We will need deep cuts in our transportation emissions in order to meet our climate goals. That's why encouraging more New Yorkers to go electric is one of NYLCV's top priorities. This charging station installation is a great step forward in electrification - it shows that EVs are the right choice for the environment, convenience, and our pocketbook. Thank you to the NYC Department of Transportation and Con Edison for your leadership," said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
"Access to charging stations is necessary to increase the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce pollution from fossil fuel burning vehicles that drive climate change and endanger our health," said Kathy Harris, Clean Vehicles and Fuels Advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) ."This is a great first step, and we look forward to working with New York City as they continue to support the electrification of the transportation sector."
"We applaud New York City on its commitment to move beyond fossil-fueled vehicles and create a cleaner, more accessible transportation future in our city," said Eddie Bautista, Executive Director of the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance."Momentum has been building thanks to widespread electrification of the city-owned fleet, and creating a network of public curbside charging stations will further reduce our dependence on vehicles that create air pollution and noise that disproportionately impact environmentally overburdened communities of color in our city. We look forward to continuing this momentum through policies that create more equitable transportation access, improve air quality, and support better health outcomes in frontline communities."
"As a healthcare institution, Montefiore understands deeply the connection between environmental and community health – especially the impact of vehicle emissions on high asthma rates in the Bronx," said Grace Whitney, Energy and Sustainability Manager, Montefiore Health System. "Rolling out the installation of electric vehicle charging stations strategically across our Bronx locations is one of the many ways we’re committed to improving the health of our communities – and Montefiore is delighted that the first curbside EV charging stations in New York City are coming to our neighborhood."
Public input on charger sites was also collected on the NYC DOT website. More information can be found at: www.nyc.gov/plugnyc
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