In efforts to make New York City more livable and green, the city is looking to install 50 new, fast-charging hubs for electric vehicles across the five boroughs by 2020. This announcement by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday, September 21 detailed this $10 million effort that will make electric cars a more accessible option for people in a city riddled with growing transportation problems.
The fast-charging EV hubs is an effort by the city’s Administration target for 20 percent of the motor vehicle registrations in New York City to be electric by 2025. Beginning in 2018, the city, in partnership with Con Edison to identify at least one site in every borough for these hubs.
Each of the hubs will have the capacity to charge more than 12,000 electric vehicles a week, powering them in 30 minutes versus the eight hours it typically takes on lower-level chargers. Apart from the 50 new stations, the city will also set aside at least 100 parking spots for slow-charging electric vehicles.
“New York City will continue to invest in the new technologies we need to reduce our emissions, especially in the face of Trump’s abdication of leadership on climate,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “By helping develop the infrastructure necessary for electric vehicles, we’re going to make it easier than ever for New Yorkers to switch. This is another step towards aligning our action on climate change with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree stretch goal.”
As it stands, there are only 307 publicly available charging sites citywide, and just 16 fast chargers. Whether or not this project will succeed in delivering its promises is something we’ll have to wait and see. But it does bring to light the harsh reminder that while this green initiative is admirable, there is no shortage of transportation issues that need to be solved in New York City.
Next, go Inside the Future City Lab at the Museum of the City of New York Exhibit New York at Its Core to explore climate change and the future of New York City.
