In late June, the Department of Transportation unveiled New York City’s first curbside electric-vehicle charging station in the Norwood section of the Bronx, while announcing that another one-hundred stations would be installed throughout the boroughs by October 2021.
The DOT’S announcement was made alongside Con Edison and FLO, a Canadian company which operates a network of charging stations which are starting to crop up around the city.
Flo recently installed charging stations at 170 East End Avenue, between 87th and 88th Streets in front of Carl Schurz Park; at 101 East 78th Street, between Park and Lex; and at 498 East 67th Street, at York Ave. Prices range from about $1 to $3 per hour, depending on the time of day.
The initiative aims to encourage electric-car ownership by making it less costly than finding a station in an NYC garage. “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.”
However, problems have arisen in the early days of the pilot. Upper East Site reports that the station in front of Carl Schurz Park – which was opened within the last week – is already getting blocked in by gas-powered vehicles.
Non-electric cars blocking the newly installed electric charging station on East End Avenue. Photo by Upper East Site
Several cars have been towed and ticketed as a result of not following the new rules – which state that these spaces are for EV charging only.
“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 DOT’s press release states.
