NYC DCAS Adds 71 Solar EV Chargers to Power Fleet

NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock announced the acquisition of 71 Beam EV ARC solar-powered EV charging systems to power the city’s electric fleet vehicles. This is the seventh order placed by the city and expands the city’s fleet of sustainable EV ARC EV charging systems to 160.

The solar carports will charge vehicles using nothing but sunlight and provide a charging option if there is a power outage. Twenty-one of the new solar carports have been deployed at sites across the five boroughs, with the remainder going live by June 30, 2023.

The $5.2 million investment in green energy infrastructure is part of the city's plan for full electrification of the city’s fleet by 2035.

Relying only on sunlight, our new resilient solar carports are designed to support our planned all-electric fleet of the future. Learn more about the capabilities of these carports here: https://t.co/1BDUOmm1ga pic.twitter.com/ytDCQEOPZy

— NYC DCAS (@NYCDCAS) February 10, 2023

The 71 solar carports are set up to provide autonomous solar power with low maintenance and upkeep costs. Each unit costs $74,000 and comes equipped with level two charging ports for fast charging EVs and regular outlets.

The new solar carports add to the city’s existing network of 85 solar carports. The first round of installations are now powering vehicles at DCAS, Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), NYC Parks, and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) facilities across the five boroughs.

• DCAS/TLC: Queens; 3 installed
• DSNY: Brooklyn; 9 installed | Staten Island; 1 Installed
• DEP: Staten Island; 1 installed | Yonkers; 1 installed
• NYC Parks: Brooklyn; 2 installed | Bronx; 1 installed | Manhattan; 1 installed | Queens; 2 installed

DCAS previously announced that it was replacing 925 fossil-fuel powered vehicles with EVs. As of September 2022, DCAS reached its 2025-goal of transitioning 4,000 vehicles in the city fleet to EVs putting the city three years ahead of schedule. 

“We normally think of fleet as a consumer of fuel and energy,” said DCAS Deputy Commissioner for Fleet Management Keith Kerman. “For the first time, we are also now a producer of zero emissions solar power through these carports. Our network of solar carports are independent of the electric grid, do not require fixed installation, and can be readily moved if needed. The carports will play a critical role charging our electric vehicles daily and also provide emergency backup and resiliency during storm and other emergencies.”