Brooklyn-based Startup Testing Curbside EV Chargers in NYC
Introduction: New York State has set the goal to phase out the sale of internal-combustion cars and light trucks by 2035. However, progress in terms of accessible charging for electric vehicles (EVs) has been slow, leaving apartment dwellers without chargers at home with the question of where to charge their cars. A Brooklyn-based startup called its electric has partnered with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Hyundai CRADLE to test their own curbside chargers in the city later this year.
The Electric Charging Network: its electric charging network aims to provide accessible and affordable charging options for EV owners. The company partners with individual property owners who want to install chargers as a source of income, with its electric analyzing the electrical panel and curb for suitability. If a site seems like a good fit, its electric installs and maintains a Level 2 charger at no cost to the property owners, which is powered by spare energy from a building’s electrical supply. EV owners who become members of the network can locate a charger and use it. Property owners hosting chargers can earn amounts starting at $1000 per charger per year.
Pilot Program and Future Plans: The pilot program will begin this spring with six charging posts at two locations in Brooklyn. The posts will be used for two months by local EV drivers recruited from the area and will remain operational for another four months after the initial pilot period. its electric has been named as a finalist in Hyundai CRADLE’s EV Open Innovation Challenge, selected based on its potential to improve the charging experience for vehicle owners and expand access to EVs.
Conclusion: While progress in EV charging infrastructure in New York City and the state as a whole has been slow, initiatives such as its electrics curbside charging network are hopeful signs of progress towards accessible and affordable charging options for all EV owners. As more states adopt 2035 as a target date for switching to zero-emission vehicle (ZEV)-only new vehicle sales, it is clear that curbside charging providers will have a lot of ground to cover in the next decade, especially in areas underserved by large charging stations.
