Brooklyn Startup to Install Nearly 700 EV Charging Points on NYC Curbs

New York City is embarking on a significant expansion of its electric vehicle charging infrastructure, partnering with Brooklyn-based startup, it's electric. This collaboration will see the deployment of nearly 700 Level 2 EV charging points across all five boroughs within the next three years, marking a substantial upgrade to the city's current capabilities.
NYC Drives Forward with Massive EV Charging Expansion
In a strategic move to bolster its electric vehicle infrastructure, New York City has officially chosen 'it's electric,' a pioneering company based in Brooklyn, to provide the essential hardware for its permanent curbside EV charging network. This ambitious project, announced on September 15, 2026, will introduce close to 700 Level 2 charging stations across all five boroughs of the city over the coming three years. These new installations are set to replace existing pilot programs and add a substantial 600 new charging points to the current 88, with all manufacturing operations proudly conducted in Queens. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), in conjunction with the New York Power Authority, is overseeing the procurement and installation processes. Each 'PlugNYC' station is designed to feature at least two charger posts, each equipped with two plugs, ensuring a minimum of four charging points per location. Maverick Corporation will manage the engineering and construction, while SWTCH Energy is providing the sophisticated software platform. The deployment strategy focuses on densely populated neighborhoods where residents predominantly utilize street parking, especially areas with a high concentration of Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and rideshare drivers. Initial target locations include Soundview and Unionport in the Bronx; Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Far Rockaway in Queens; Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn; the Upper West Side and Washington Heights in Manhattan; and Stapleton on Staten Island. This localized approach is critical, given that half of New York City's car owners rely on street parking and lack access to private driveways or garages for home charging. The city's existing curbside chargers already exhibit high utilization rates, with some reaching nearly 99%. Nathan King, co-founder and CEO of it's electric, envisions a future where EV chargers are as ubiquitous as fire hydrants. This expansion will also support the city's 'Green Rides initiative,' which mandates that by 2030, all Uber and Lyft trips must be completed using zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible vehicles. New York's rideshare drivers are already contributing significantly, completing around 3 million EV trips monthly. While pricing details are still being finalized, NYC DOT will maintain control over driver costs, with charging billed by the kilowatt-hour. Drivers will have flexible payment options, including various apps and credit card tap functionality. The city aims to keep prices affordable while encouraging timely vehicle movement once charging is complete. Additionally, where feasible, these sites will incorporate electrical connections for e-bike charging, electrified bike-share docks, secure bike parking, or cargo-bike hubs. 'it's electric' launched its first New York curbside charging pilot in Sunset Park in 2023 and has since expanded its operations to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Boston. The company recently secured $15 million in new funding, led by Halogen Ventures.
This ambitious initiative by New York City and 'it's electric' represents a significant leap forward in addressing the critical need for accessible EV charging infrastructure in urban environments. The focus on street parking-dependent communities and rideshare drivers highlights a thoughtful approach to equity and practicality in the transition to electric vehicles. As more cities grapple with similar challenges, New York's model of integrating public and private sector innovation could serve as a blueprint for sustainable urban mobility, demonstrating that a robust EV ecosystem is achievable even in the most densely populated areas.