New York City Public Housing Authority is hoping to install new electric charging hubs at multiple housing facilities by 2025, the department’s interim CEO said.

Mayor Eric Adams and Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday unveiled a $25 million federal grant to install the hubs following a string of fatal fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. There were 16 lithium-ion battery related fires at NYCHA complexes in 2022 and 17 in 2021, according to the FDNY. This year, there has been one.  

NYCHA had initially proposed a complete ban on battery-powered bikes, scooters and other wheeled vehicles because of the fires, but reevaluated the plan after pushback from tenants and advocates.

“We had announced a pilot program a couple of months ago that we’re doing with Con Edison, but this really expands the program and really allows our residents – who use micromobility devices – to work, to get around town, to be able to have a safe place for them to charge and store,” said NYCHA interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt during an appearance on “Mornings On 1” Monday.

The authority intends to construct the charging facilities at 53 NYCHA locations by early 2025, Bova-Hiatt said. However, the project could finish before then.

“Now that we have the money that we have to really expand our pilot program throughout the five boroughs, we’re super hopeful that they will be here before we know it,” she said.