Tesla recently purchased a 40,000 square foot parking lot in Queens, New York City for a whopping $18 million USD. The transaction was confirmed by city records on Monday, August 26. But what is this purchase all about, and how could it impact the electric vehicle landscape in New York City?
Big parking lot, big plans
The newly acquired parking lot is located at 48-26 54th Road and currently has 55 regular parking spaces as well as 3 handicap accessible spaces. This spacious lot is ideally suited for the construction of an extensive Supercharger site. According to the development documents and the purchase agreement signed by Max de Zegher, Director of Tesla Charging, plans to build Tesla apparently plans to turn this site into a major Supercharger station for downtown Queens. The exact number of charging points is not yet listed in the planning documents, but the dimensions of the parking lot suggest a large-scale charging station.
Why buy and not rent?
In an area where land is scarce and expensive Tesla decided to buy this property instead of renting as usual. This decision could indicate that Tesla wants to ensure the long-term availability and control of charging infrastructure in one of New York's busiest neighborhoods. Having a dedicated site allows for better planning and customization of charging facilities to meet growing demand.
A contribution to reducing traffic and charging congestion
New York City is a hotspot for electric vehicles. In addition to the many Tesla-vehicles that roll through the streets, Gravity Taxi operates a fleet of yellow Model Y cabs, while Revel operates blue Model Y for its ride service. In addition, the Greenrides initiative forces all for-hire vehicles, including cabs, to be electric vehicles from March 2024. This initiative has already led to significant bottlenecks at existing DC fast-charging points. With the new Supercharger station Tesla help reduce these bottlenecks and make charging easier for the many electric vehicles in the city.
Tesla's commitment to the future
The purchase of the parking lot and the planned expansion of the Supercharger station are a positive signal that Tesla continues to focus on expanding and improving its charging infrastructure despite the recent cuts to the Supercharger team. This is particularly important in a city that is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles and where every additional charging point can make a difference.
Conclusion
Tesla's purchase of the Queens parking lot is more than just a real estate investment; it's a strategic move to improve charging infrastructure in one of the busiest cities in the world. With the new Supercharger location Tesla not only reduce the traffic load at existing stations, but also meet the growing needs of New York's electric vehicle owners.
