U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres Announces Substantial New Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Coming to the Bronx

BRONX, N.Y. – U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) today joined local elected officials, community environmental justice groups, and representatives from Revel to announce substantial new investments that will greatly expand the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for the Bronx, including the borough’s first ever public off-street Superhub.

“As we work to electrify the streets of New York City and combat the climate crisis, it’s important to understand that millions of New Yorkers live in apartments and don’t have access to a private garage or parking spot to charge an electric vehicle,” said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15). “That’s one reason why this investment in the Bronx from Revel is so significant. It’s vastly improving the accessibility of EV charging infrastructure to the public in a community that needs it the most. For too long, we’ve lived with the public health and environmental consequences of high greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and asthma rates. But we’re breaking that cycle through electrification and public and private investments at the state, local, and federal levels that will help Bronxites live longer, healthier lives. And to me, that is the essence of public service.”

The Superhub, located at 799 E. 140th St. in Port Morris, will have approximately 30 direct current fast charging (DCFC) chargers, which have the ultrafast capacity to charge an EV with 100 miles range in just 10 minutes. It will be available to the public and is expected to open in the next year. The location marks the latest in Revel’s mission to build a vast network of public fast charging stations across New York City and beyond, including additional future sites in the Bronx.

“With Revel’s public fast charging Superhub coming to Port Morris and more investments in the borough to come soon, we’re bringing the Bronx from last place to first in EV infrastructure, making the transition to electric convenient for Bronx drivers and helping eliminate transportation emissions for future generations,” said Frank Reig, Co-Founder & CEO of Revel. “Thank you to Congressman Ritchie Torres, Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Mayor Eric Adams for their dedication to electrifying the Bronx and all of New York City. Revel is proud to be a partner in making this borough, which has long faced the worst impacts of vehicle pollution, a leader in the new green economy.”

According to the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), the Bronx currently has the fewest amount of any kind of EV charging station compared to the rest of the city, and publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure is a “major missing piece” in the city’s EV vision plan.

Today’s announcement, however, helps to advance ambitious local, state, and national goals for both vehicle electrification and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also builds on Rep. Torres’s record of fighting to secure resources and support policies that promote clean energy solutions, create green local jobs, combat global climate change, and reduce air pollution that has contributed to disproportionately high rates of asthma and other health conditions within low-income communities and communities of color.

Last month, Rep. Torres announced he successfully secured $155 million in new investments over five years for the Bronx as part of the city’s congestion pricing plan, including the construction of electric vehicle infrastructure, school asthma programming, the renovation of local parks and green spaces, the enhancement of air quality monitoring, and the replacement of transport refrigeration units on diesel trucks.

Rep. Torres also previously voted to help pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a convenient, reliable, and accessible Made-in-America EV charging network of 500,000 chargers nationwide by 2030, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which establishes the Clean Vehicle Credit of up to $7,500 per vehicle to incentivize and accelerate the adoption of EVs.

“Electric vehicles are a necessity in providing alternative modes of transportation for our residents and families to commute to their destination, but we need to invest in the infrastructure to make electric vehicles a viable option in the Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank Congressman Ritchie Torres and Revel for today’s announcement of a public Superhub coming to the Bronx and their commitment to transit equity by ensuring our Bronx riders have access to safe and reliable electric vehicle charging in our borough.”

“The New York League of Conservation Voters commends Congressman Ritchie Torres for securing much-needed investments for EV charging infrastructure in the Bronx,” said Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters. “Shifting from fossil fuel-burning vehicles to clean transportation is critical to addressing the climate crisis and to reducing air pollution that disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. By ensuring all New Yorkers, regardless of their zip code, can access EV charging stations, we will hasten our transition to a clean transportation sector and to a healthier New York.

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