Government Fleet Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NYC Adds Auto-Braking Vehicles, Solar EV Chargers

New York City is rolling out auto-braking vehicles, expanding solar electric vehicle charging carports, and working to promote safety in the city’s automotive high schools.

by Staff
May 17, 2017
NYC Adds Auto-Braking Vehicles, Solar EV Chargers

New York City's 30 solar carports wil charge electric vehicles completely off the grid. Photo courtesy of NYC DCAS

2 min to read


New York City's 30 solar carports wil charge electric vehicles completely off the grid. Photo courtesy of NYC DCAS

New York City is rolling out auto-braking vehicles, expanding solar electric vehicle charging carports, and working to promote safety in the city’s automotive high schools, the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) announced on May 11 at its City Fleet and Equipment Show.

As part of Vision Zero, NYC has finalized a Safe Fleet Transition Plan (SFTP) in partnership with the Volpe Center at U.S. Department of Transportation. Under the plan, NYC will receive its first 450 vehicles with automatic braking, which helps stop a vehicle before it hits another vehicle, person, or object. The city’s new electric Chevrolet Bolts and plug-in Toyota Prius Primes will come with automatic braking.

The SFTP will require a broad array of safety investments including automatic braking where available, rear and side guards for trucks, and backup cameras and assists.

Additionally, DCAS finalized a contract with Envision Solar for 30 solar carports to charge electric vehicles completely off the grid. The city will roll out the solar carports to fleet locations citywide in 2017. During Earth Week, Mayor de Blasio announced that NYC would acquire 1,000 electric vehicles ahead of schedule, and the carports will power these vehicles. In 2018, DCAS will also pilot public access for some of these solar units.

Finally, NYC also created a partnership with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) to promote safety at NYC’s automotive high schools and driver education programs.

“NYC Fleet is investing in the fleet of the future — electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles, powered by the sun, and using new sharing and safety technologies,” said City Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. “DCAS thanks all its agency partners for their support and collaboration.”

More Safety

freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 26, 2026

Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus

Safety and productivity go hand-in-hand on today’s vocational jobsites. The Freightliner 114SD Plus combines advanced driver-assist technologies with proven reliability to keep crews moving constantly from start to finish. Learn how safety by design can protect your team, reduce risk, and maximize uptime.

Read More →
A Samsara report cover titled 'The Exoneration Factor: How Dash Cams Reduce Risk and Deliver Clear ROI for the U.S. Public Sector,' featuring a close-up photo of a dash cam mounted on a vehicle windshield with a driver reflected in the rearview mirror and a desert road visible in the background.
SponsoredMarch 24, 2026

How Dash Cams Reduce Risk and Deliver Clear ROI for the U.S. Public Sector

For government agencies, dash cams have moved from a nice-to-have to a necessity—not just for public safety, but also for operational efficiency and cost savings. Download the full report today for insights from fellow public sector leaders on how dash cams are reducing risk, lowering premiums, and delivering clear ROI.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

3 Ways Fleet Tech Builds Public Trust

Managing a state or local fleet comes with levels of accountability private companies don’t have. Read how modern fleet technology helps elevate visibility and safety to strengthen community trust.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Queclink GL51CG battery-powered backup vehicle tracker shown alongside an image representing vehicle theft and recovery monitoring.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 16, 2026

Tracker Innovation From Queclink to Boost Stolen Vehicle Recovery Performance

Queclink has introduced a backup telematics device designed to support stolen vehicle recovery by activating only when a primary tracker is disabled, helping fleets and financing providers respond more quickly to theft.

Read More →
Emergency response with fire truck and 911 printed on side.
SafetyFebruary 3, 2026

First Response Fleets: 10 Takeaways for 2026

A practical look at what first response fleet leaders can apply right now, with clear guidance for making stronger decisions throughout 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Public fleets face constant pressure to do more with limited budgets. This eBook outlines how modern fleet software helps agencies extend asset life, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve safety by automating maintenance, using smarter video insights, and unifying fleet data. A practical look at how technology can drive measurable ROI for taxpayers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby Jeanny RoaDecember 22, 2025

Holiday Travel Surge: What Government Fleet Managers Need to Know About Increased Road Risks

As year-end travel reaches record levels, fleet managers must anticipate increased road congestion and safety challenges for government vehicles and drivers.

Read More →
SafetyDecember 11, 2025

How Government Fleets Can Reduce Distracted Driving: Key Takeaways

Crashes, near misses, and costly collisions still occur every day. How agencies can better protect their drivers, roadside workers, and communities.

Read More →
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseOctober 29, 2025

New CNG Vehicle Incident Response Resource Released

The downloadable safety guide contains detailed “Vehicle Crash and/or Leak Response” instructions in addition to “Vehicle Thermal Response” instructions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a person reviewing charts and a document featuring the Samsara logo, representing research findings on disaster preparedness and operational resilience.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseOctober 21, 2025

New Samsara Data Reveals Dangerous Gap in Disaster Readiness

A new Samsara report highlights widespread gaps in disaster preparedness among public and private organizations, with most leaders lacking confidence in their ability to respond to major crises.

Read More →