The Emergence of Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations on Long Island

Once a niche notion for Silicon Valley tech startups and climate activists, electric vehicles (EVs) have now gone mainstream—particularly on Long Island. By 2025, the EV wave isn't arriving. It is transforming the way Long Islanders drive to work, search for homes to buy, and show off to the Joneses.

EVs Are on the Up: The Statistics Don't Lie

In Q1 2025, over 65,000 EVs have been registered in both Nassau and Suffolk counties—a staggering 40% increase since 2023, reports NYSERDA. That is no trend; that is a takeover. With a perfect storm brewing of high gas costs, federal incentives (up to \$7,500 per vehicle), and the public infatuation with Teslas and TikTok-approved car tricks, EVs are the new normal. Long Island driveways are becoming populated with Teslas, Rivians, Ford F-150 Lightnings, and even the surprisingly snappy Hyundai Ioniq 6. Is your car not humming like a golf cart, speeding like a sports car? Are you even trying?

Where Do You Charge That Thing?

Excellent question—and Long Island has the answers. We now have more than 1,200 public charging stations, and the number keeps increasing every month. With the EVolve NY program proposed by the NY Power Authority, DC fast-charging stations are appearing along the LIE, the Sunrise Highway, and in strategic municipal lots from Huntington to Patchogue. And for those who like to charge up mid-shop-a-palooza, Roosevelt Field and Tanger Outlets have free EV parking—just don't hold the spot if you drive a gas-guzzler that runs on unleaded. That is essentially a crime these days in EV circles.

Companies, municipalities, and even beach clubs are getting in on the act. Charging stations are going up where you'd never think to look—such as the lots of the local fire department and municipal golf courses. And yes, yes, the lines at peak hours are long, but gosh, we stood in line for 45 minutes to have fried Oreos at the Jones Beach air show last summer, so perspective applies.

Real estate & EV readiness: It’s no longer just a benefit

Here's where things get real estate. Homebuyers in 2025 aren't just seeking quartz countertops—now they demand an EV-capable garage with a 240-volt outlet. Properties with home-charging infrastructure are selling quicker and for higher premiums, particularly in suburbs like Garden City, Smithtown, and Massapequa Park. Developers are getting the message: EV charging is now the norm at most new builds, not some nicety for the tech-savvy buyer who sports Allbirds.

And for sellers who are on the fence about whether installing EV charging is worthwhile—here’s a tip: less expensive than redoing the kitchen and much less challenging than convincing consumers that “good bones” warrants that 1970s paneling.

Why It Matters (Even If You’re Still Team Gasoline)

It’s not just about vehicles—about infrastructure, equity, and staying modern. As more people switch, cities are being compelled to reexamine parking codes, utility capacities, and even HOA requirements (spoiler warning: your board will sooner or later have to permit you to put in a charger). Sure, perhaps you’re not getting rid of that SUV in the immediate future, but this change matters to neighborhood attractiveness, power consumption, and—yes—property value.

The Road Ahead: It’s Smart, Not Only Electric

You can expect to witness the accelerating evolution of charging technology: solar-powered carports that even lower your utility bills, wireless charging pads in driveways, and microgrids that render a neighborhood self-sufficient. Pilot projects like those in Setauket and Babylon are already experimenting with these. Five years from now, your home might include a charger that understands the rhythm of your life better than your significant other.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Next Move? Let’s Plug You In.

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious if your garage can handle more than bikes and unopened Amazon boxes, I’m here to help you navigate Long Island’s EV-charged market. As the Island’s first (and only) AI-certified real estate agent, I understand how tech, transit, and resale value all connect—literally.

📍 Looking for a home that comes EV-ready?
🔌 Wondering if installing a charger will boost your property value?
🚗 Thinking of upgrading your lifestyle to match the way the world is headed?

Let’s get charged up.
Visit www.deanmillerrealestate.com, shoot me a message, or flag me down at the next Tesla supercharger meetup (I'll be the one explaining market comps over iced coffee).
Because here on Long Island, the future isn’t coming—it’s already in your driveway.