NYC’s Gateway to Hunts Point FDC Project Announced, a Freight EV Charging Hub and Workforce Development Center

On July 23, 2025, MN8 Energy LLC announced a transformative infrastructure project in New York City’s South Bronx: the Gateway to Hunts Point Freight and Workforce Development Center (FDC). This forward-looking facility is designed to advance freight vehicle electrification, support workforce development, and directly address longstanding environmental and public health concerns in one of the city’s most impacted communities.

At the heart of the project is a state-of-the-art charging facility tailored for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks that serve the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, the largest wholesale food hub in the country. With over 15,000 daily truck trips flowing through the area, Hunts Point faces disproportionate levels of air pollution and the city’s highest asthma rates. MN8’s initiative seeks to turn the tide with infrastructure that reduces emissions while generating new opportunities for residents.

The facility will offer 42 charging plugs, including high-powered DC fast chargers, Level 2 plugs, and stations for e-bikes and e-scooters. Designed with flexibility in mind, the system is future-proofed to support even greater power demands as adoption grows. But electrification is just one component of the broader mission.

“The Gateway to Hunts Point project exemplifies our commitment to building sustainable infrastructure that sparks economic development while bringing tangible environmental solutions to the communities where we operate,” said Alan Dowdell, Head of Distributed Energy Solutions at MN8 Energy. “This isn’t just about charging trucks – it’s about creating opportunity and jobs, improving air quality, and building a more equitable clean energy future for the Hunts Point community.”

A central element of the development is “The Bolt,” a dedicated welcome center and workforce development hub that will provide job training, event spaces, and community amenities. From CDL training and EV orientation workshops to dining areas and garden spaces, The Bolt is intended to serve both the logistics industry and local residents. In partnership with Bronx is Breathing, the project will help train hundreds of commercial drivers, run community engagement programs, and generate dozens of full-time and part-time jobs.

Environmental impact is another critical focus. MN8 projects a reduction of more than 66,000 tons of CO₂ emissions over a decade, alongside the elimination of significant levels of particulate and criteria pollutants. A planned community solar array, co-owned by local organizations through MN8’s partnership with Working Power, is expected to serve around 300 households, delivering both clean energy and economic dividends to the neighborhood.

“MN8 Energy’s development will serve as a critical element for EV charging while providing a space for high-quality job development in the Hunts Point peninsula as we continue to transform the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center into a modern place that exemplifies sustainability, resiliency, and economic development,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball.

To support equitable electrification, MN8 will provide discounted charging rates for Food Distribution Center tenants, along with technical assistance to help small fleet operators make the transition. The system will be designed for reliability and ease of use, with round-the-clock support and uptime guarantees.

MN8’s expertise in renewable energy and EV infrastructure — bolstered by its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz on a national charging network — positions the company as a leader in clean energy deployment. The Gateway to Hunts Point project reflects a coalition effort involving Atlantis Management Group, EO Charging, INF Associates, Kimley-Horn, and others, each bringing specialized capabilities to the table.

“On behalf of the Greater Hunts Point EDC, we are thrilled that the Bronx Is Breathing project, and the City of New York are finally able to celebrate this key milestone. This was not an easy journey, and I salute the hard work of all the dedicated professionals at both NYCEDC and MN8 Energy,” said Don Eversley, Executive Director, Greater Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation. “We also deeply appreciate the patience and commitment of the State’s energy agency – NYSERDA – and Volvo Group North America, which together provided the vision, core funding, and structure for Bronx Is Breathing. Positioning the first East Coast truck charging station in Hunts Point will be a game-changing event on the road to both better air quality and a sustainable transportation future for the South Bronx. Let’s go!”

“Today represents the work of many able hands and a hard-won victory at a moment of great challenge and strain for frontline communities like Hunts Point,” said Paul Lipson, Co-Principal, Barretto Bay Strategies. “Addressing the longstanding aspirations of Hunts Point residents to breathe clean air and meaningfully participate in a thriving regional economy has been the decades long mission of the Greater Hunts Point Economic Development Corp and The POINT CDC, the project’s two partners, who have carried this work forward and without whom today’s milestone would still be a distant vision. Together with Volvo, MN8, NYCEDC, NYCDOT, and NYSERDA, and our magnificent local electeds, The Bronx is Breathing and its pioneering freight charging hub are proving that environmental equity and economic development are not opposing values. In fact, aligning them and unlocking their congruities is at the vital center of our collective efforts and is truly the work of our time.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with operations launching in 2029. Community involvement will continue to guide the project’s evolution, ensuring that the people of Hunts Point help shape a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive future.

EVinfo.net’s Take

EVinfo.net is thrilled that this project allows Hunts Point residents to breathe clean air and meaningfully participate in a thriving regional economy. Kudos to NYCEDC, MN8 Energy, and all partners. We hope more projects like this, offering job readiness, community engagement, and workforce development pop up soon across the country.

EVs bring cleaner air to residents, and cost savings to owners. EVs and EV charging bring economic growth and jobs to our great nation.

Lynkwell, the Northeast’s Leading EV Charging Company

Lynkwell is a New York–based energy technology firm delivering end-to-end electric vehicle charging solutions across North America. Founded in 2016, the company has deployed thousands of chargers at public, fleet, and corporate sites, offering both Level 2 and DC fast charging hardware. Its comprehensive software and services platform, ViaLynk, is among the top-ranked public charging networks in the U.S. Central to Lynkwell’s offering is the X‑Change™ platform, which streamlines site planning, hardware procurement, installation, and long-term management into a single solution.

The company’s proprietary XLynk™ Level 2 charger features a lifetime warranty and an EZ‑Swap faceplate for fast servicing, highlighting its focus on uptime and reliability. With over 10,000 assets under management across more than 40 U.S. states, Canada, and Guam, Lynkwell combines domestic engineering and support with a curated selection of global EV hardware to deliver scalable, incentive-optimized infrastructure. Lynkwell is highly recommended by EVinfo.net.