Photo: it's electric

Philadelphia is gearing up for a major buildout of curbside EV chargers.

Brooklyn-based startup it’s electric has reached an agreement with the City of Philadelphia to install up to 1,000 Level 2 curbside chargers across the city.

City Councilmember Michael Driscoll, chair of the Transportation Committee, introduced legislation on behalf of City Council President Kenyatta Johnson to authorize the deal.

The agreement gives it’s electric an exclusive license to install and operate curbside Level 2 EV chargers on Philadelphia streets. The company plans to roll them out across all 18 of the city’s planning districts, with a focus on areas that currently have little or no public charging.

Philadelphia is a natural fit for curbside charging. More than 60% of households don’t have access to off-street parking, making at-home charging difficult or impossible for many residents.

To get around typical delays, it’s electric says its chargers can draw power from nearby buildings and utility poles. That approach is designed to avoid lengthy interconnection timelines and reduce the need for expensive grid upgrades. The first group of chargers is expected to go live in early 2027.

The city says site selection is being guided by equity and real-world demand. Priority areas include neighborhoods with a high density of rideshare drivers, limited access to existing chargers, and communities identified in Philadelphia’s Climate Action Playbook.

The rollout also reflects strong local interest: the company says its existing Philadelphia waitlist already includes thousands of residents looking for curbside charging options.

“Philly is exactly the kind of city where curbside charging isn’t a nice-to-have: It’s the only way most residents will ever be able to own an electric vehicle,” said Nathan King, cofounder and CEO of it’s electric. “The City’s vision and its City Council’s leadership have provided the foundation to build the most ambitious urban charging network in the country. As a company of urbanists who are deeply dedicated to the future of cities, we’re immensely proud to be part of this endeavor.”

Electrek’s Take

Philadelphia isn’t rolling out DC fast charging stations in a few high-traffic spots; it’s tackling a harder problem. How do you make EV ownership work for people who park on the street every night?

If more than half your residents can’t install a home charger, then curbside charging is the backbone of adoption.

What stands out in Philly’s Level 2 charger rollout plan is the focus on where demand already exists – rideshare drivers, dense neighborhoods, and communities that have been left out of earlier charging buildouts. That’s how you avoid installing chargers that sit unused while people who actually need them are stuck waiting.

If Philadelphia can execute at scale – and actually get these 1,000 chargers installed without years of delays – it’s going to set a template other US cities will likely follow.

Read more: DC is turning street poles into EV chargers – Voltpost is helping

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