Electric Vehicle Charging Station Likely Coming To Bayside Lot

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — An electric vehicle charging station is likely coming to Bayside, thanks to national government funding secured by Queens’ U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY).

This spring, members of Congress could submit project requests for their districts to be funded from the INVEST in America Act, a federal bill which directs $547 billion to highway, bridge, transit, and rail projects over the course of five years.

Congresswoman Meng proposed a $20 million project request that addresses four infrastructure projects in Queens — including three vehicle charging stations in Flushing and Bayside, new medians in Oakland Gardens, and a Forest Hills Long Island Rail Road station upgrade. “Queens must not be forgotten about as we invest in our infrastructure,” said Meng in a statement.

“Restoring and expanding our borough’s transportation system is critical to meeting the growing needs of Queens, and these projects would improve the safety of local residents while making it easier and more convenient to travel. They would also strengthen economic growth, save money, and enhance quality of life for many constituents,” she added.

The bulk of the money secured by Meng — around $17 million — would go to the project in Forest Hills, with a total of $3 million allocated to the charging projects in Flushing and Bayside and the median restoration in Oakland Gardens.

The charging station in Bayside would be located at Bayside Parking field, at 214-32 41st Avenue near the Bayside LIRR station.

The charger would provide about 7kW of power per hour, adding about 25 miles of range to a typical car for each hour that it is plugged in, according to a statement from Meng’s office.

The INVEST in America bill passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Monday, and is expected to be passed in a vote by the House of Representatives at the end of June, according to a report.