Port Authority and NYPA Announce Opening of 12 New Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers at Laguardia Airport

All images courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has announced the first electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging station at LaGuardia Airport is now open and available to the public. The 12 new high-speed charging units can power compatible EVs in as little as 30 minutes, providing ride-share drivers, taxis and travelers with electric vehicles the ability to charge at one of the nation’s busiest airports. The LaGuardia charging station is the single largest bank of chargers in NYPA’s statewide EVolve NY fast charger network, bringing NYPA’s overall number of units to 300. 

“These new fast chargers are doing much more than advancing sustainability. They’re expanding convenience for the millions of travelers who pass through LaGuardia Airport each year,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “As more drivers switch to electric vehicles, we’re ensuring our airports provide a seamless and reliable place to power up for travelers, employees and others passing through. Expanding fast EV charging means drivers have one less thing to worry about and underscores our commitment to a modern, customer-focused airport experience.”

“LaGuardia’s new EV fast chargers are the latest example of the Port Authority turning its climate commitments into action,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. “As we work toward our industry-leading goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, we’re electrifying everything from passenger vehicles to airside equipment, we’re expanding solar generation, and we’re working with partners to encourage use of zero-emission vehicles at our facilities through initiatives like NYC TLC’s Green Rides Initiative. It’s imperative that we take a comprehensive approach to the climate crisis so that all users of our facilities can be part of the solution.”

“LaGuardia Airport is an ideal location for our latest EVolve NY high-speed charging station as it will make charging much easier for ride share EV drivers who are expected to be the majority of customers at this site as well as others traveling to and from the airport or living and working in the area,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “With this new bank of 12 chargers coming online, we’re reducing vehicle emissions and fostering healthier communities. I’m especially proud of our EVolve NY team for reaching our 300-charger milestone. We are pushing ahead to make it increasingly easier for EV drivers to travel to the airport and throughout New York state.”

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The new public charging station, which was installed and funded by NYPA under an agreement with the Port Authority, is located on Runway Drive off the Grand Central Parkway’s Exit 7. More than 100,000 EVs are currently in use on Long Island and New York City, according to the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles. New York City has 13,100 TLC-licensed EVs, with roughly 22 percent of all Uber and Lyft trips currently either zero-emission or wheelchair accessible. The Green Rides Initiative requires New York City’s Uber and Lyft trips to be conducted by either zero-emission or wheelchair accessible vehicles by 2030, setting yearly benchmarks designed to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to a cleaner, more accessible fleet.

“Convenient access to fast charging is essential to the city’s hardworking EV drivers,” said James DiGiovanni, NYC TLC’s deputy commissioner for policy and community affairs. “Back in 2023, when we launched the Green Rides Initiative, we emphasized to providers how important it was for our licensees to be able to charge at the airports. The Port Authority and NYPA took quick action — both here and at JFK—and what we celebrate today is a result of that. Thanks to them, thousands of TLC EV drivers will be able to charge right here where they work.”

The site at LaGuardia Airport, which is a popular destination for ride-share drivers, is expected to serve more than 100 drivers per day. To help ease possible congestion at the lot, NYPA will implement an 85 percent state of charge (SOC) limit. Post-session idle fees will also be in place to improve wait times and ensure chargers remain accessible. As part of Electrify America’s open and accessible network, the new LaGuardia Airport station offers 12 hyper‑fast chargers rated up to 350 kilowatts (kW). Drivers can easily access the station using a credit card, mobile wallet, or the Electrify America app.

“We’re proud to support NYPA in bringing dependable, high‑speed charging to LaGuardia Airport, expanding convenient EV access for drivers across New York,” said Robert Barrosa, president and CEO of Electrify America. “Electrify America is pleased to contribute hyper‑fast charging technology and network expertise giving drivers a seamless and reliable charging experience.”

The new chargers help meet growing demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at Port Authority facilities, which support the agency’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives. The Port Authority has specified plans to reach its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through its comprehensive net-zero roadmap. That goal encompasses both the agency’s own emissions as well as those originating through the wide transportation ecosystem supporting its facilities.

In addition to supporting public access of EV charging infrastructure, the Port Authority and its operational partners have collaborated to incorporate more electric vehicles within airport operations as well. Across the agency’s three major airports, 1,400 electric ground service vehicles and 775 electric ground service chargers are currently in use for equipment such as baggage tractors and airplane tows. Beyond EV infrastructure, the Port Authority has undertaken several other ambitious sustainability initiatives at its airports, including New York state’s largest rooftop solar array at John F. Kennedy Airport’s new Terminal One; the nation’s largest airport solar rooftop at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A parking garage; a solar array on JFK’s long-term parking Lot 9, and a solar rooftop at LaGuardia Airport. In 2020, 10 EVolve NY chargers were installed at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Cell Phone Lot West at 130^th Place. The site is heavily utilized serving an average of nearly a thousand drivers each week and sometimes more than 200 per day during peak travel days.

NYPA’s EVolve NY program – the largest public power network in the country  – has installed fast-charging infrastructure at roughly 50-mile intervals along key travel corridors and in select urban hubs throughout New York state – from Buffalo to Albany and the Adirondacks to Long Island. Expanding the number of charging locations available has made EV travel significantly easier, helped accelerate the adoption of EVs, and reduced polluting emissions in local communities. Seven more stations in Queens are set to open in coming months as NYPA continues its New York City roll-out. A site in Flushing—135-23 39^th Avenue – is already operational and two others in Bayside and Rosedale are expected to open in the next few weeks. Additional stations will open later this year in Ditmars, Steinway, Sunnyside and Rockaway Park. NYPA plans on increasing its full charger network to 400 chargers over the next year.

Adding to the fast-charging offerings in New York City, EVolve NY chargers are also planned for Jerome Avenue in the Bronx and Canarsie and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. A map of all EVolve NY chargers is available here.

“As Queens continues to lead New York’s fight against climate change, ensuring our largest transportation hubs like airports are doing their part to further our clean energy transition couldn’t be more critical,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said. “Bringing electric vehicle charging stations to LaGuardia Airport is a no-brainer in terms of advancing those goals, and I’m grateful to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York Power Authority for partnering to get these stations installed. I look forward to bringing hundreds more to the borough in the months ahead, as we build out the infrastructure needed to facilitate even more EV usage.”

“This is the progress we’ve been fighting for. Seeing 12 new fast chargers at LaGuardia Airport shows that our commitment to clean transportation is real and it’s moving forward,” said New York state Senator Kevin S. Parker, chair of the Senate Energy And Telecommunications Committee. “Expanding the New York Power Authority’s EVolve NY network to 300 chargers statewide is not just a milestone it’s momentum. We are continuing to build toward our climate and equity goals while making sure working drivers, families, and travelers have real access to reliable charging infrastructure. This is how we create opportunity, reduce emissions, and ensure New York leads in the clean energy transition.”

“As the assemblymember representing communities surrounding LaGuardia Airport, I’m proud to see continued investment in infrastructure that strengthens this critical transportation hub,” said New York state Assemblymember Larinda C. Hooks. “Expanding high-speed EV charging improves convenience for drivers and travelers while supporting the modernization of our regional transportation network. These kinds of forward-thinking investments help ensure Queens remains at the center of New York’s growth and innovation.”

“As one of the busiest airports in the country, LaGuardia plays a critical role in our local economy. Ensuring that entrepreneurs like ride-share drivers and taxi operators, along with travelers, have access to fast, reliable charging infrastructure moves us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system,” said City Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry. “Reducing emissions at LaGuardia Airport directly supports our environmental justice goals and improves air quality for the families who live and work nearby. I commend Gov. Kathy Hochul, the New York Power Authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for expanding the EVolve NY network right here in Queens.”

New York state currently hosts more than 2,980 public fast chargers at 652 locations, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. The chargers range in speed from 25 kW to 350 kW, equating to varying charging times. Under New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York state is investing nearly $3 billion in zero-emission vehicles and expanding access to clean transit to benefit all New Yorkers, including those in low-income or disadvantaged communities. This will provide low-cost transportation options that reduce emissions and help create cleaner air and healthier communities. Initiatives include the Drive Clean Rebate, EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, Charge Ready NY 2.0, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), the New York School Bus Incentive Program, and the Direct Current Fast Charger Program.

EV owners can locate public chargers using a variety of sources such as smartphone apps (e.g. EV Connect, Electrify America), third-party route planners (e.g. PlugShare, ABRP), Apple Maps, Google Maps, and vehicle onboard route planners. Credit cards are accepted to charge; no subscription or membership needed.