Red Government Fleet with star logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NYC Adds Auto-Braking Vehicles, Solar EV Chargers

New York City is rolling out auto-braking vehicles, expanding solar electric vehicle charging carports, and working to promote safety in the city’s automotive high schools.

by Staff
May 17, 2017
NYC Adds Auto-Braking Vehicles, Solar EV Chargers

New York City's 30 solar carports wil charge electric vehicles completely off the grid. Photo courtesy of NYC DCAS

2 min to read


New York City's 30 solar carports wil charge electric vehicles completely off the grid. Photo courtesy of NYC DCAS

New York City is rolling out auto-braking vehicles, expanding solar electric vehicle charging carports, and working to promote safety in the city’s automotive high schools, the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) announced on May 11 at its City Fleet and Equipment Show.

As part of Vision Zero, NYC has finalized a Safe Fleet Transition Plan (SFTP) in partnership with the Volpe Center at U.S. Department of Transportation. Under the plan, NYC will receive its first 450 vehicles with automatic braking, which helps stop a vehicle before it hits another vehicle, person, or object. The city’s new electric Chevrolet Bolts and plug-in Toyota Prius Primes will come with automatic braking.

The SFTP will require a broad array of safety investments including automatic braking where available, rear and side guards for trucks, and backup cameras and assists.

Additionally, DCAS finalized a contract with Envision Solar for 30 solar carports to charge electric vehicles completely off the grid. The city will roll out the solar carports to fleet locations citywide in 2017. During Earth Week, Mayor de Blasio announced that NYC would acquire 1,000 electric vehicles ahead of schedule, and the carports will power these vehicles. In 2018, DCAS will also pilot public access for some of these solar units.

Finally, NYC also created a partnership with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) to promote safety at NYC’s automotive high schools and driver education programs.

“NYC Fleet is investing in the fleet of the future — electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles, powered by the sun, and using new sharing and safety technologies,” said City Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. “DCAS thanks all its agency partners for their support and collaboration.”

More Safety

SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Public fleets face constant pressure to do more with limited budgets. This eBook outlines how modern fleet software helps agencies extend asset life, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve safety by automating maintenance, using smarter video insights, and unifying fleet data. A practical look at how technology can drive measurable ROI for taxpayers.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 14, 2026

Behind the Wheel: Distracted Driving in the US Public Sector

Distracted driving is a persistent challenge for public sector fleets, impacting community safety, operational costs, and driver well-being. Samsara’s latest State of Connected Operations report found that 76% of public sector drivers have experienced a “close call” due to distraction—underscoring the urgent need for action.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaDecember 22, 2025

Holiday Travel Surge: What Government Fleet Managers Need to Know About Increased Road Risks

As year-end travel reaches record levels, fleet managers must anticipate increased road congestion and safety challenges for government vehicles and drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyDecember 11, 2025

How Government Fleets Can Reduce Distracted Driving: Key Takeaways

Crashes, near misses, and costly collisions still occur every day. How agencies can better protect their drivers, roadside workers, and communities.

Read More →
SponsoredDecember 5, 2025

The Road to Smarter Electric Van Transitions: A practical roadmap for integrating electric vans into your fleet

Electric vans are becoming a strategic tool, not just a sustainability move. Get a roadmap that breaks down costs, charging planning, upfit compatibility, and what fleets should evaluate before making the switch.

Read More →
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseOctober 29, 2025

New CNG Vehicle Incident Response Resource Released

The downloadable safety guide contains detailed “Vehicle Crash and/or Leak Response” instructions in addition to “Vehicle Thermal Response” instructions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a person reviewing charts and a document featuring the Samsara logo, representing research findings on disaster preparedness and operational resilience.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseOctober 21, 2025

New Samsara Data Reveals Dangerous Gap in Disaster Readiness

A new Samsara report highlights widespread gaps in disaster preparedness among public and private organizations, with most leaders lacking confidence in their ability to respond to major crises.

Read More →
Close-up of a vehicle speedometer representing NYC DCAS efforts to implement Intelligent Speed Assistance technology across city fleet vehicles.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseOctober 21, 2025

NYC to Make Intelligent Speed Assistance Standard Across More Than 7,000 Fleet Vehicles

New York City is expanding the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance technology across all non-emergency fleet vehicles, marking the world’s largest municipal ISA program, according to NYCDCAS.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaOctober 15, 2025

Speed Smarter, See Better: Fleet Innovations from Somerset

Keith Kerman shares how Intelligent Speed Assist and Executive Order 39 aim to make municipalities safer for all.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyOctober 14, 2025

Inside Alexandria’s Tons of Trucks: A Model for Citizen Engagement in Fleet Operations

A look at how direct public engagement can help fleet departments build transparency, understanding, and trust with the communities they serve.

Read More →