Gravity’s 500-kW EV Charging Network in NYC: A Year of Growth and Future Expansion

Gravity’s 500-kW charging station in NYC set speed records and achieved 100% uptime. With 20 new sites planned, the network is growing fast. Learn more about its impact and future plans.

Building an ultra-fast EV charging network in the heart of New York City is no small feat. Limited space, bureaucratic hurdles, and sky-high real estate prices make deploying new infrastructure incredibly challenging. Yet, Google-backed startup Gravity has not only launched the first 500-kW charging station in the U.S., but also delivered impressive results within its first year of operation.

Located at 401 West 42nd Street, just a block from Times Square, Gravity’s flagship site has facilitated 40,000 charging sessions in its first 12 months. While this number pales in comparison to major networks like Electrify America, the 100% uptime rate of Gravity's chargers sets a new benchmark for reliability. Additionally, the station has set charging speed records for several EV models, including the Tesla Cybertruck (289 kW), Cadillac Escalade IQ (369 kW), and GMC Hummer EV (374 kW).

Gravity isn’t just focused on speed—it’s rethinking user convenience. Instead of traditional floor-mounted chargers, Gravity mounts its dispensers high on the walls, with overhead cables keeping the floor space uncluttered and making plug-in access faster and easier.

Another key advantage is the use of surplus local electricity, allowing the site to operate without requiring costly grid upgrades. This unique approach significantly reduces deployment time and costs.

Fast-charging accessibility is critical for New York’s taxi fleet, which is undergoing a major shift to electrification. The city’s Green Rides Initiative mandates that all for-hire vehicles must be either electric or wheelchair-accessible by 2030. As a result, 12% of the city’s ride-hailing fleet (around 13,000 vehicles) is already electric.

However, in the early stages of the transition, drivers struggled with long wait times and a lack of high-speed charging stations, cutting into their earnings. Gravity and other networks like Revel are helping to alleviate this problem. CEO Moshe Cohen revealed that Gravity’s station is experiencing 12% month-over-month growth, with utilization approaching 30%—a clear sign of rising demand.

Encouraged by its success, Gravity is gearing up for major expansion in 2025, with 20 new sites planned in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.

The company is also working on enhancing the user experience. Currently, an on-site attendant assists with the charging process, but Gravity plans to introduce a more streamlined system with an app-based interface and potentially a dedicated display at the station.

“Our goal is for people to buy EVs not just because they’re good for the planet, but because they’re faster, better, and more affordable for everyday life,” Cohen emphasized.

With urban EV adoption accelerating and charging technology rapidly evolving, ultra-fast charging stations may soon become the norm rather than the exception. As competition heats up among industry leaders, the race to create the most efficient, user-friendly charging experience is only just beginning.

Source: insideevs.com