In a January 26 press release, the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) announced the addition of 58 DC fast chargers to the city’s electric vehicle charging network. The new chargers will primarily support City fleet operations, but some will be open for public use.
The chargers join the City’s already extensive electric vehicle charging network, with more than 1,000 charging ports currently in operation. Increasing the number of fast chargers will simplify fleet charging schedules and enable fleet managers to replace more gas-powered vehicles with electric models.
By the end of 2021, DCAS plans to have 100 fast chargers in operation, to support the City’s 2,700 electric fleet vehicles.
By the end of 2021, DCAS plans to have at least 100 fast chargers in operation. These new additions will provide the City’s more than 2,700 plug-in electric fleet vehicles with more convenient and efficient charging options.
Fast Chargers Supply 120 Miles of Range in One Hour
Direct current (DC) fast chargers can charge an electric vehicle seven times faster than the more widely available AC Level 2 chargers. While Level 2 chargers make up most of New York City’s fleet charging stations and are well-suited for overnight charging, fast chargers can supply 120 miles of range within one hour. Fast chargers are now operating at 10 different City agencies. Fleet vehicles will use these new chargers to recharge quickly during the day, expanding the scope of possible fleet activities.
The new installations are part of a long-term project to electrify the City fleet. In May 2019, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) allocated $14 million to DCAS to introduce fast chargers and construct solar carports. A total of 87 portable solar carports were completed in late 2020, and this initial expansion of the City’s fast charging network is on schedule for completion in mid-2021.
Fast chargers are now operating at 10 different City agencies, expanding fleet activities.
NYC Fleet to be All-Electric by 2040
In a February 2020 executive order, Mayor Bill De Blasio announced that New York City would transition to an all-electric, carbon-neutral fleet by 2040. So far, more than 2,200 gas-powered fleet vehicles have been replaced with electric vehicles as part of this effort. As a result of this and other sustainability initiatives, NYC Fleet has reduced total fuel use by 2.8 million gallons since 2018.
NYC Fleet operates multiple classes of electric vehicles. In addition to light-duty vehicles, medium- and heavy-duty electric vans and trucks have joined the fleet recently. In October of last year, for example, the NYC Department of Sanitation announced the acquisition of a Mack LR all-electric refuse truck. Expanded fast charging will be especially important as the City transitions to an electric medium- and heavy-duty fleet.
Fast Chargers Coming to the Public
Individual electric vehicle drivers will also benefit from the City’s new fast chargers in select locations. Currently, two fast charging hubs are available for use by the general public: one at Randall’s Island in Manhattan and another at Midland Beach on Staten Island.
By this summer, DCAS plans to open one publicly accessible fast-charging hub in each borough.
By this summer, DCAS plans to open one publicly accessible fast-charging hub in each borough. These chargers will operate through the ChargePoint network and limit per-car charging time to one hour. Drivers will pay $0.30 per kWh at peak hours (8:00 am to 10:00 pm, weekdays) and $0.25 per kWh at all other times.
New York City operates the largest municipal fleet in the country, with more than 30,000 vehicles currently in use. The City also aims to build the nation’s greenest fleet and has set ambitious goals for emissions reduction. By 2025, DCAS hopes to cut fleet emissions in half. This will serve as a benchmark in the City’s transition to a zero-emissions, carbon-neutral fleet by 2040.
Empire Clean Cities’ Mission Electric
Mission Electric is an electric vehicle campaign and online resource hub by Empire Clean Cities, a local environmental nonprofit and U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalition for New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. Mission Electric provides information regarding resources, events, and funding incentives to help New York individuals and fleets transition to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are a safe, sustainable, and zero-emission solution to clean transportation that protects our local health through air quality and our regional resilience to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
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