New York City is taking a major step toward expanding public EV charging. The city has selected Brooklyn-based it’s electric to build out a permanent curbside charging network across all five boroughs, replacing the current pilot infrastructure and adding more than 600 new charging points over the next three years.
The expansion will bring the PlugNYC curbside network from its existing pilot of 88 Level 2 charging points to roughly 700 citywide. For EV drivers who rely on street parking instead of a private garage or driveway, that could make a meaningful difference in where and how they charge.
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Why NYC’s EV Charging Expansion Matters
Public EV chargers are becoming increasingly important as more drivers switch from gasoline vehicles to electric cars. Home charging is convenient for drivers with a garage or dedicated parking space, but many urban EV owners do not have that option.
New York City is specifically targeting dense neighborhoods where street parking is common and where many taxi and rideshare drivers live and work. The goal is to put public EV charging closer to the people who need it instead of concentrating chargers only in private garages or highway locations.
Demand is already strong. Reporting on the city’s existing curbside network says the current charging points are occupied by EVs more than 70% of the time, with some locations approaching 99% utilization. That level of demand helps explain why the city is moving from a limited pilot toward a much larger EV charging network.
What the New EV Charging Stations Will Include
The permanent PlugNYC rollout will use Level 2 charging equipment designed for curbside installation. Each station will have at least two charger posts with two plugs each, providing a minimum of four charging points per site.
The hardware will be designed by it’s electric and manufactured in Queens. Maverick Corporation is supporting engineering and construction, while SWTCH Energy is providing the software platform for the network.
The city has identified initial areas in all five boroughs, including neighborhoods in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island. The first locations are focused on areas with high demand and limited off-street parking.
When Will the Chargers Be Installed?
Drivers should not expect all of the new electric vehicle charging stations to appear immediately. Installation is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 after the required city review process is completed. The broader buildout is planned over the following three years.
That timeline gives NYC time to review proposed locations and coordinate the charging infrastructure with other uses of valuable curb space.
How This Could Help EV and Rideshare Drivers
The charging expansion is especially relevant to high-mileage drivers. New York City’s Green Rides initiative is pushing the rideshare industry toward zero-emission vehicles, with a goal of having 100% of Uber and Lyft trips completed in zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible vehicles by 2030.
For drivers who spend much of the day on the road, access to reliable public EV chargers can be just as important as the vehicle itself. More curbside charging can reduce the need to search for an available charger or travel long distances simply to recharge.
For everyday EV owners, the benefit is broader: more charging options can make EV ownership easier for people who cannot install a home charger.
What EV Drivers Should Watch Next
- New charging locations: Watch for additional PlugNYC locations as the city moves through the rollout process.
- Level 2 charging availability: Level 2 chargers are useful for longer parking periods, especially overnight or during extended stops.
- Charging prices: NYC has not finalized the future pricing structure for the expanded network. The city has said charging will be billed by the kilowatt-hour and that multiple payment methods will be available.
- Connector compatibility: Drivers should always confirm which connector their vehicle requires before using a public charger. Many Level 2 chargers use the J1772 standard, while EVs with different charging interfaces may require an appropriate adapter.
- Charger etiquette: As utilization increases, drivers should move their vehicle when charging is complete so another EV can use the space.
What This Means for the U.S. EV Charging Market
NYC’s announcement is bigger than one city. It shows how EV charging infrastructure is moving into ordinary urban parking environments as EV adoption grows.
For drivers across the U.S., the trend is important. Cities, utilities and private charging companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional gas-station-style locations and adding charging where vehicles already spend time parked.
That also means EV owners will increasingly need practical charging accessories for different situations, including adapters, charging cables and home or portable charging equipment. Drivers can explore EVWAT’s EV accessories collection for products designed to make everyday electric-car ownership easier.
The Bottom Line
New York City is expanding its curbside EV charging network from a small pilot to nearly 700 charging points across all five boroughs. With more than 600 new points planned, Level 2 charging will become more accessible in neighborhoods where home charging is difficult or unavailable.
The rollout is expected to start in 2027, making this a development worth watching for EV owners, rideshare drivers and anyone considering an electric vehicle in a major U.S. city.
Source: New York City Department of Transportation and it’s electric announcement reported September 15, 2026. Facts and rollout details are subject to change as the city completes design and installation planning.