DCAS and NYC Parks Unveil 10 New Fast Chargers at Forest Park, Marking Latest Expansion of NYC’s Public Charging Network
September 22, 2026
Ten new fast chargers at the beloved Queens park mark the largest city-operated public charging site to date, expanding affordable charging access for New Yorkers.
DCAS plans to install 34 additional public fast chargers across the city over the next 18 months.
Pictured Above: Empire Clean Cities Executive Director Joy Gardner, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ Transportation and Parks Liaison Laura Shepard, NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Mark Focht, TLC Deputy Commissioner for Policy and External Affairs James DiGiovanni, DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei, DCAS Deputy Commissioner for Fleet Management Keith Kerman, and DCAS Executive Deputy Commissioner Shameka Overton cut the ribbon on Forest Park’s new EV chargers
NEW YORK – Today, New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei joined NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Mark Focht, TLC Deputy Commissioner for Policy and External Affairs James DiGiovanni, Empire Clean Cities Executive Director Joy Gardner, and Laura Shepard, Transportation and Parks Liaison to Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, to cut the ribbon on 10 new fast electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at Forest Park in Queens. The new chargers are part of DCAS’ continued expansion of charging infrastructure across the five boroughs, which now includes 451 total fast chargers, of which 26 fast chargers are now open to public use. Two of the parking spots are specially designed for accessibility.
DCAS public chargers are available at 30 cents per kilowatt-hour during off-peak hours and 35 cents during peak hours, making them an affordable option in comparison with other public EV charging options. As demand for affordable public charging continues to grow, DCAS plans to install 34 additional public fast chargers across the city for the next 18 months, at locations including Upper Highland Park, Randall’s Island and Meserole Avenue in Brooklyn. DCAS is also working with partner agencies on additional sites.
“Building a clean energy future means making investments New Yorkers need in every borough — and making sure those investments lower costs, not raise them,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “By expanding access to affordable charging, we’re putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets while cutting fossil fuel use and our city’s carbon footprint. Affordability and sustainability are not competing priorities. They go hand in hand, and this administration will keep delivering on both.”
“As we continue to transition New York City’s fleet to electric vehicles, we’re seizing every opportunity to expand access to EV charging for city workers – and provide affordable options for New Yorkers, particularly those who drive for a living,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “The new chargers at Forest Park represent a significant addition to our public charging network, and we are pleased to work alongside NYC Parks to make this infrastructure available to New Yorkers and continue supporting our growing electric fleet.”
“These 10 new state-of-the-art fast chargers make up the city’s largest EV charging hub and will ensure the public has convenient access to keep their electric vehicles running,” said NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Mark Focht. “We’re grateful for the partnership of DCAS in providing these essential chargers and ensuring New York City is leading the way on supporting electric vehicle use."
"At a time when drivers are facing rising operating costs and uncertainty at the pump, expanding access to reliable charging is another way we can provide meaningful relief and put more money back in drivers’ pockets," said Taxi & Limousine Commissioner Midori Valdivia. "The city's electrification efforts will not only pay off for working class drivers in the short term, but they are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, cleaner city that will provide benefits for every New Yorker."
Pictured Above: Newly unveiled electric vehicle charging stations at George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell in Forest Park, Queens
Located at George Seuffert, Sr. Bandshell, a longstanding community gathering place in Forest Park, the new charging hub is the largest city-operated public charging site across the five boroughs, and includes two ADA-accessible chargers. The bandshell has hosted free concerts and cultural events for generations, accommodating approximately 3,500 people and remaining an important recreational destination within the park.
The project was funded by DCAS, with over $2.7 million dedicated towards the new installation. An additional $472,000 in support was provided through the New York State Power Ready program, administered through Con Edison. NYC Parks has remained DCAS’ main partner for supplying public charging. Parks also holds the largest EV fleet of all agencies with 907 EV and solar units, 97% of which are all-electric.
The DCAS public EV charging network has supported nearly 300,000 charge-ups to date. Taxis and rideshare vehicles make up the largest share of public charging customers at DCAS sites. Rideshare vehicles will be required to transition to EVs by 2030, and public charging will help support this transition.
“NYC operates the largest electric fleet in New York with over 6,000 EVs,” states NYC Chief Fleet Officer and DCAS Deputy Commissioner Keith Kerman. “Powering those EVs is the state’s largest charging network at over 2,600 ports and 1.6 million charge-ups so far. In partnership with NYC Parks, DCAS has been able to offer 32 chargers including 26 fast chargers to the general public to help support EV adoption throughout the city. We are excited to open our largest hub at Forest Park, and we look forward to bringing more charging on board under the Mamdani administration.”
"Despite the climate-denying rhetoric at the federal level, electric vehicles are the way of the future," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "This technology is a critical way of making our environment greener and more sustainable as we reduce our carbon footprint and reliance on polluting fossil fuels. I'm grateful to our partners at DCAS and NYC Parks for their work in helping expand our borough's curbside electric vehicle charging capacity, and I look forward to future installations across Queens in the months and years to come."
“On the Upper West Side, many New Yorkers who want to make the switch to an electric vehicle do not have a driveway or garage where they can plug in overnight, so expanding public charging options is critical. I hear regularly from constituents who want more places to charge their vehicles. I thank DCAS and NYC Parks for opening more of the city’s fast-charging network to the public and continuing to add locations across the city,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer.
“Expanding access to EV charging stations is an important part of building a more sustainable New York City,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro, Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection & Waterfronts. “I am thrilled to see this investment right here in our backyard, in Forest Park. These new chargers will not only provide Queens residents with more convenient charging options, but also pave the way for a greener city!”
"Expanding access to convenient, reliable charging is essential to making electric transportation work in a city like New York, where many residents don’t have access to a driveway or garage,” said Joy Gardner, Executive Director of Empire Clean Cities. “The new fast chargers at Forest Park are an important investment in the infrastructure New Yorkers need to make the transition to cleaner transportation. We’re proud to see DCAS, NYC Parks, Con Edison, and other partners continuing to lead by example and build a charging network that is more accessible to communities across the five boroughs.”
DCAS is a leader in fleet electrification and sustainable municipal operations in New York City. Since January 2021, the agency’s public charging network has supported nearly 300,000 public charging sessions, delivering more than 8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to EV drivers. DCAS also manages the largest electric vehicle fleet and charging network in New York State, most recently surpassing 6,000 electric vehicles and over 2,600 charging ports supporting city operations. DCAS remains committed to transforming the city’s fleet with more innovative technologies and effectively developing a greener, and safer New York City for all.
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About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training city employees.
- Managing 56 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing city property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for city agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the city’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.
Contact:
Amina Sarfraz
Communications Associate, DCAS
communications@dcas.nyc.gov
Photos HERE
Photo Credit: NYC DCAS