Manhattan Tesla Charging Stations Outnumber Gas Stations 3:1
Originally published on EV Obsession.
Manhattan will soon be home to as many as 3 times more Tesla electric vehicle charging stations than gas stations, following the company’s recent decision to expand the destination charger network there.
The decision to expand the Tesla electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the densely built Manhattan island portion of New York City has precisely focused on garages — with the majority of the destination chargers in question being installed at popular garages throughout the area.
The company is apparently aiming for there to be a destination charger every 3 blocks or so in Manhattan by September — presumably in anticipation of surging demand following the Model 3 launch next year. The company also recently opened a new showroom and service garage nearby — not in Manhattan, but rather in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The company maintains a showroom in Chelsea as well.
The New York Post provides more:
Looking to make driving less of a pain for the 1,500 owners of its electric cars in the Big Apple, Tesla motors plans to greatly expand its network of Manhattan charging stations to 105 by March 31, The Post has learned. Each will be able to provide a full charge in as little as four hours — and most will be free to Tesla owners.
…Currently there are around 40 gas stations in the city. The number has been falling fast as developers continue to raze them in favor of more lucrative projects. While drivers gripe of rush-hour log jams at Manhattan gas stations that result in waits of up to 40 minutes, Tesla drivers will likely have little or no wait to drop off their car for a “fill up.”
An Upper West Sider who brings his Model S P85D downtown regularly, by the name of Paul Gardi, commented: “The garages have a better sense of what’s going on now. A year ago, the garages were saying, ‘Whoa, what’s this thing?’ But now, they know what to do — you can just leave it and say, ‘Plug it in,’ and come back in an hour.”
A rep from Tesla commented on the decision, noting that, while earlier expansion had focused on hotels and restaurants, things were changing: “However, in an effort to tackle the need for urban charging, we expanded the program and partnered with public garages that offer parking both by the hour or the month.”
Images by Anthony Quintano (some rights reserved); Tesla Motors
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The cost of installing infrastructure is cheap.
The second biggest reason (after efficiency) that EVs will win.
I tried to imagine what it would cost to set up a gas station inside a parking garage, especially the part about the tanker truck, where to put the large tanks, the ventilation. Seems like a lot of bother just to assist those who are driving in polluting the air so many are breathing. I’m guilty too. But if you can afford to drive into and park in Manhatan, surely you will be able to afford the Model3.
Now if only the cars had bluetooth horns that could only be heard in the close by cars unless it sensed a pedestrian encroaching.
I’m not sure I understand your idea of the bluetooth. Sounds interesting. P{ease explain.
Bluetooth is short range. The idea is cities are noisy. When you “beep your horn” really you are trying to communicate with a handfull of cars around you most of the time. If those cars received a signal and beeped inside the car, the whole city block wouldn’t have to listen to it. Of course, if a pedestrian stepped out in front of you, it would have to beep externally. I’m not saying this is practical yet, but you look at the Tesla, and the tech they have in it, and you could imagine it.
I’m worrying of a trend where the only place to charge an EV in a city will be in an expensive public parking.
That’s why most people use the subway.
I would love to. Unfortunately for people just outside of Brussels the subway doesn’t go beyond the city boundaries and you can’t park your car at most subway’s endpoints. Don’t ask: typical Belgian nonsense. 🙂
London is installing curbside charging.
I think it very early to determine what form urban charging will take. I would imagine Destination Chargers are only being installed at upscale hotels because Teslas are being driven by people with at least a bit more money than the average dog.
From what I can tell parking in Manhattan is always crazy expensive. That’s why almost nobody owns a car there (and the city is still full of them).
ALL parking in Manhattan is expensive. If you want to park a car in Manhattan, you’re going to pay a bundle period. Some spaces will simply have charging available as well, which is a better deal than paying for parking *and* gasoline.
History repeating. About 100 years ago, Manhattan was full of battery car charging stations. Women of leisure would shop and eat lunch while their box on wheels charged up.
An outright ban of ICEs in Manhattan would be good.
Thou shalt not pass!
Ban all cars! Subway, electric buses, walk, or bike
How about walking a couple weeks worth of groceries up to my house, dude?
If you’re in good shape you should be able to make it in a couple of days. Perhaps longer since you’ll be pulling a delivery wagon….
I’m 55 and I can do it
I’m over 70 and I can do it.
But I’m not going to do it. I’m not going to spend huge amounts of time doing stuff the hard way when there’s no reason.
The best way to get around in Manhattan is to ride a bike and walk.
you don’t need a car at all.
Love it more EV stations = more EV cars on the road & Less ICE = Better Health for the Earth&People!