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Council debates city-run EV charging app; DOT points to existing Flow pilot and private tools
Summary
Councilmember Aviles and agencies debated Intro 115, which would require a city-run app mapping charging stations; DOT described the Flow pilot and said maintenance rests with the private operator and that a city app could duplicate existing tools.
Councilmember Cristabel Aviles urged the committee to back Intro 115, which would require the Office of Technology and Innovation to develop a city-run mobile application mapping electric-vehicle charging stations. Aviles said drivers and fleet operators currently need multiple private apps to find chargers and that a consolidated city tool would help drivers adopt electric vehicles.
DOT and TLC testimony Eric Beaton of the Department of Transportation described the Flow curbside charging pilot. DOT said Flow, the private operator, designed and maintains the pilot app under a Con Edison-led agreement and that the city recently transitioned operation from ConEd to municipal control through a negotiated acquisition. Beaton said utilization of charging kiosks has risen from roughly 15–25% in early stages to many locations now operating at or near 90% utilization.
TLC and DOT cautioned on duplication and cost Taxi and Limousine Commission witnesses said electrification has increased charging demand — TLC noted more than 300 new charger plugs citywide since the electrification report — but that a city-run app could duplicate existing private and federal tools. TLC said current tools include private operators' apps and the U.S. Department of Energy alternative fueling station locator; DOT told the committee the initial Flow pilot cost the city nothing, but the precise ongoing cost of operation under city control was not specified and DOT said it would provide contract details to the committee.
Policy considerations and next steps Councilmembers and witnesses agreed that better information for drivers is needed; DOT said its priority is installing chargers and providing good data rather than duplicating existing services. Intro 115 remained under committee review at the close of the hearing; DOT and council staff agreed to follow up with contract and cost details.
Ending: No committee vote was taken on Intro 115. DOT and agencies said they will provide additional information about Flow operations, contract costs and potential options to avoid duplication if a city app is considered.
