NYC startup Gravity plans to line streets with stylish ‘trees’ that can charge an electric car in 5 minutes

A Big Apple-based electric vehicle startup wants to plant a network of ultra-efficient curbside “trees” along the city’s busy streets that are capable of recharging a car’s battery in at little as five minutes.

Google-backed Gravity Inc. developed the fast-charging technology already in use at its flagship station in a parking garage on West 42nd Street.

Now, Gravity CEO Moshe Cohen is hoping the city will approve his concept for the “DEAP Trees” – short for Distributed Energy Access Points – as it seeks to significantly enlarge its network.

The charging trees are meant to fit in seamlessly on metered streets — allowing drivers to pull in and park for a quick fill-up.

“The constraint is we have to deliver a charge at a speed that’s shorter than the dwell-time. So if you can only be there for 30 minutes, that car has to be charged in less than 30 minutes,” Cohen told The Post.

business, metro, tech, electric cars, future tech, transportation, nyc startup gravity plans to line streets with stylish ‘trees’ that can charge an electric car in 5 minutes
4

Gravity said the trees are designed to be resistant to vandalism.

The charging cables can provide 200 miles of range in 13 minutes for its 200kW mode and just five minutes for the 500kW model. That’s dramatically faster than the so-called “level 2” charging ports currently in use, which provide just 20 miles of range per hour of charging, according to the city’s website.

Gravity developed the sleek, minimalist trees with the help of design firm Rangr Studio — which also designed the stylish charging hardware used at the West 42nd Street facility.

They feature a maneuverable hinged arm and mounted cable system designed to be compatible with all major EV manufacturers, including Tesla and Rivian.

“The idea is to make it quiet, to make it seamless, to make it not stand out and also have the thing automatically put the cable back into its place,” said Rangr Studio’s Jasmit Rangr. “We anticipate that someone’s going to be in a hurry, hop in the car and just leave the cable hanging out there. We can’t let that just happen.”

Cohen said his firm’s long-term goal is to build a network larger than Tesla’s current “Supercharger” network.”

business, metro, tech, electric cars, future tech, transportation, nyc startup gravity plans to line streets with stylish ‘trees’ that can charge an electric car in 5 minutes
4

Each tree features a maneuverable arm and retractible mounted cable.

The New York City Department of Transportation did not immediately return a request for comment.

Rangr said the trees were specifically designed to be resistant to vandalism and rough use on city streets.

The design team focused on ensuring the charging cable would never rest on the ground and would be capable of reaching any part of the car.

“This notion of ‘how do you serve all of these different locations’ is a critical one if you’re going to make EV charging curbside or in any tight location,” Rangr said. “You just can’t have cables dangling around and getting in the way of people.”

business, metro, tech, electric cars, future tech, transportation, nyc startup gravity plans to line streets with stylish ‘trees’ that can charge an electric car in 5 minutes
4

Gravity operates a charging center on West 42nd Street.

Curbside charging stations for electric vehicles are still a burgeoning concept in New York City.

The city has partnered with Con Edison to install 100 level-2 charging stations across the five boroughs, as well as a much smaller number of fast-charging stations, according to its website.

The New York City Department of Transportation has set goals of installing 1,000 level 2 charging stations by 2025 and 10,000 stations by 2030. The department is expected to provide an update on guidelines for the expansion later this year.

Cohen argued it is crucial that the city turn to more advanced charging technology as soon as possible to ensure that the stations aren’t obsolete by the time the goal is reached.

business, metro, tech, electric cars, future tech, transportation, nyc startup gravity plans to line streets with stylish ‘trees’ that can charge an electric car in 5 minutes
4

Gravity wants to build the country’s largest charging network.

“Our goal in New York, if we do a few hundred out of the 1,000 and a few thousand out of the 10,000, which we’re ready to do, suddenly New York has more fast-charging…than any other city in the country,” Cohen said.

Gravity is currently in talks with various city agencies as it looks to install the devices in New York, according to Cohen – who described the city as a crucial proving ground for the technology that could draw interest from other locales in the future, such as Boston and Los Angeles.

OTHER NEWS

15 minutes ago

Diablo 4 Season 4 dragged me back despite the rampant overgrowth of currencies to keep track of

15 minutes ago

Here’s how buying FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 stocks can make investors wealthy

15 minutes ago

Glastonbury set to be largely dry and cloudy but some light showers forecast

15 minutes ago

WITNESS!: “The Acolyte” just aired its own “Fury Road” episode

15 minutes ago

King Charles and Queen Camilla host Japanese state visit

15 minutes ago

Broncos CB Damarri Mathis entering pivotal season in his career

15 minutes ago

Man Utd move women's team out of training building to accommodate men's squad

15 minutes ago

Olympic champion swimmers tell Congress U.S. athletes have lost faith in anti-doping regulator

15 minutes ago

Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition review - the Jade empire strikes back

15 minutes ago

Legends of The Open - Special Edition on sale now

15 minutes ago

Largest collection of Princess Diana’s items since 1997 heads to auction

15 minutes ago

Oleksandr Usyk vacates IBF heavyweight title in 'present' to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois

15 minutes ago

Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service now available to all in San Francisco

15 minutes ago

Asian markets fluctuate after Wall St rebound, inflation in view

15 minutes ago

Law enforcement say 'multiple people' may be charged in Matthew Perry's ketamine death as investigation is 'nearing its conclusion'

15 minutes ago

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth weather: Even more rain and 'cold season tornado' coming for one city

15 minutes ago

Adelaide: Shocking reason behind why elderly couple Richard and Yan Becker were left bloodied and bruised after alleged vicious attack while walking their Border Collie at Fremont Park Dog Park, Elizabeth East

21 minutes ago

'Abnormally high levels of West Nile' | Montgomery County reports first human case of virus in 2024

23 minutes ago

Arizona teen, 18, goes to the dentist to have four teeth extracted before bizarre chain of events leaves him frothing at the mouth

23 minutes ago

Man slammed as 'utterly disgusting' after bragging about how he saves $153 a week while eating out

24 minutes ago

Roderic O’Gorman and Pippa Hackett to contest Green Party leadership

25 minutes ago

Kevin Costner Brings 5 Kids to ‘Horizon' Premiere After Attending Cannes

25 minutes ago

Veteran DL Davon Godchaux wants to remain with the Patriots

25 minutes ago

Hunter King Wants ‘Nikki & Nora' Sequel With 'Fried for Life' Rhiannon Fish

25 minutes ago

Growing wildfire in central Oregon chars over 250 acres, prompts evacuations

25 minutes ago

Public Safety discussions take place in Dallas and Fort Worth

25 minutes ago

Argentina beats Chile to seal Copa América knockout spot

25 minutes ago

Indonesia says Shopee admits to violating monopoly rule for its courier service

25 minutes ago

Protesters in Kenya are tired of double standards, and it will take more than bullets to stand them down

25 minutes ago

BHP rejects hydrogen and hybrids, backs electric trucks

25 minutes ago

Barclays boss says calls for bank to abandon oil and gas are unrealistic

25 minutes ago

The damning stat that proves England’s attacking play is slowest at Euro 2024

25 minutes ago

DeSantis signs bill banning balloon releases in Florida

25 minutes ago

Five South African pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj

28 minutes ago

Rockets reportedly seeking Kevin Durant, Devin Booker or other ‘major upgrade'

31 minutes ago

Video: Abbie Chatfield receives a VERY personal X-rated gift for her birthday from boyfriend Adam Hyde

32 minutes ago

Ohtani hits a leadoff homer for the Dodgers to extend RBI streak to a career-high 9 games

32 minutes ago

Donald Trump free to criticise Stormy Daniels in TV debate

33 minutes ago

President of the Republic calls for provision of necessary funds to repair buses, trains and metro cars

33 minutes ago

Inflation rises to 4% stoking concern interest rates could increase again