New York City will install 600 new curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging points over the next three years as part of an expansion of its PlugNYC network, while introducing an online portal that allows residents to comment on proposed charging locations.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), the initiative aims to improve public charging access across the city’s five boroughs, particularly in neighbourhoods with limited off-street parking.
Expanding Public Charging Access
The rollout will increase the number of public curbside Level 2 charging points from the current 88 to nearly 700.
NYC DOT said installations will prioritise densely populated communities as well as areas with large numbers of taxi and ride-hailing drivers.
Each charging site will include at least two charging posts equipped with two charging connectors each, providing four charging points per location.
Where feasible, the sites will also be designed to accommodate future e-mobility infrastructure, including public e-bike charging, electrified bike-sharing stations, secure bicycle parking with charging facilities and cargo bike charging for urban logistics.
First Deployment Areas
The first phase of the programme will cover 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.
The city said the expansion will also target low- and moderate-income communities where private investment in charging infrastructure has been limited.
Alongside the deployment, NYC DOT has launched an online engagement portal to collect public feedback on proposed charging locations before installations proceed.
Building on Pilot Success
The expansion follows a curbside charging pilot launched in partnership with Con Edison in 2021.
According to NYC DOT, the pilot entered permanent operation in 2025 and its 88 Level 2 charging points have recorded utilisation rates exceeding 70%, with several locations approaching 99% occupancy. Charging sessions account for more than 85% of occupied time.
In addition to the curbside programme, the city plans to install 92 DC fast charging points and 180 additional Level 2 chargers at municipal parking facilities.
The New York Power Authority will procure the charging equipment and oversee construction, while NYC DOT will be responsible for operating and maintaining the charging network.