Korea’s LG CNS powers up Brooklyn Army Terminal with EV chargers and smart city tech revolution

What is LG CNS doing at the Brooklyn Army Terminal?

In a significant move to expand its smart city footprint, South Korea-based LG CNS has unveiled a series of technology-forward initiatives at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) in New York City. Through a partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the company has rolled out a network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, a proprietary EV mobile app, and plans for energy storage systems as part of a broader strategy to transform New York into a leading smart city in the United States.

The installation of LG CNS electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the BAT has already been completed and will be available for public use through the end of December 2025. This development is part of a pilot project that aligns with the NYCEDC’s vision of positioning Sunset Park as a green economy innovation hub.

Why is LG CNS investing in EV charging in New York?

LG CNS, a global player in AI transformation and digital infrastructure, is leveraging its core competencies to support sustainable urban development in the United States. The deployment of EV chargers at BAT is designed not only to encourage broader adoption of electric vehicles in urban areas but also to signal the company’s commitment to the clean energy transition.

As part of this rollout, LG CNS has partnered with Boston-based EV charging startup Matcha to enhance system reliability and performance. The collaboration combines LG CNS’s expertise in digital integration and platform development with Matcha’s domain-specific technology for fast, adaptable EV charging solutions.

This joint effort is underpinned by a newly developed mobile application that enables real-time updates on charger availability, user-friendly navigation, and other features aimed at making electric vehicle use in New York City more seamless and efficient.

How does this fit into New York City’s broader green infrastructure strategy?

The initiative is integrated into a growing ecosystem of smart city experiments facilitated by the NYCEDC through its Pilots at BAT program. This program allows technology developers to test, refine, and scale new solutions in real-world conditions. With successful implementation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, LG CNS’s technology will also be tested and potentially deployed across additional NYCEDC properties, including the MADE Bush Terminal complex in Sunset Park.

The Sunset Park District offers over 200 acres of strategically located waterfront property, specifically allocated to support the green economy, including sectors such as climate resilience, electrified transportation, and sustainable building technologies.

Through these initiatives, New York City is actively positioning itself as a testing ground for cutting-edge technologies in energy, mobility, and infrastructure, aligning closely with global goals on climate action and digital innovation.

What role does energy storage play in this plan?

Beyond EV infrastructure, LG CNS is also working toward integrating Energy Storage Systems (ESS) within the city’s energy framework. These systems are designed to address the inherent intermittency of renewable energy and provide grid stabilization in areas with high demand fluctuations. By supporting distributed energy resources and reducing dependence on traditional fossil-fuel-based generation, ESS installations help cities like New York manage energy transition risks more effectively.

According to LG CNS, this aspect of the project is especially critical as New York’s grid evolves to accommodate electrified transport, high-density urban energy demands, and increasingly severe climate-driven weather events. ESS solutions, once implemented, are expected to play a role in balancing grid load, enhancing power reliability, and providing backup energy during peak times or emergencies.

What technologies is LG CNS planning to test beyond EV charging?

The collaboration between LG CNS and NYCEDC is expected to go beyond electric mobility. The Korean firm is exploring several urban technology domains to support New York’s transformation into a fully digitized and resilient smart city. These include artificial intelligence applications for traffic and pedestrian flow management, data-driven surveillance systems to improve public safety, and smart building technologies that aim to reduce energy consumption while improving occupancy comfort.

The integration of these technologies could lead to a broader data-driven urban management framework. LG CNS has indicated that it aims to contribute to a citywide digital infrastructure backbone—leveraging AI, IoT, and big data—to support predictive decision-making in areas ranging from traffic congestion to emergency response.

What are the origins and goals of this Korea-New York partnership?

The partnership between LG CNS and the City of New York was formalized in October 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, LG CNS CEO Shin-Gyoon Hyun, and American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman and CEO James Kim. The agreement laid the groundwork for increasing Korean investment in key infrastructure and innovation sectors across New York City.

Since then, the NYCEDC Business Development Team has facilitated LG CNS’s integration into the local technology ecosystem. This included assisting with site selection, navigating regulatory frameworks, and connecting the company with strategic local partners. These efforts reflect the city’s broader ambitions to attract foreign direct investment and serve as a launchpad for global technology companies seeking U.S. market access.

The MOU represents more than a bilateral business deal. It aligns with policy objectives on both sides of the Pacific: for South Korea, a pathway to export next-generation technologies, and for New York, an opportunity to accelerate the deployment of clean and connected infrastructure at scale.

What impact could this have on smart city development in the U.S.?

The LG CNS project at BAT offers a model for how international tech firms can contribute to municipal innovation without requiring long lead times or permanent overhauls of existing infrastructure. The use of modular, scalable technology—from mobile apps to ESS—means the city can pilot and adopt solutions based on demonstrated performance and community response.

Industry analysts suggest this approach aligns with emerging trends in smart urban planning, where cities adopt agile, data-centric methods to test and scale innovations. It also reflects a growing emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in climate tech and mobility infrastructure, especially as U.S. cities seek to decarbonize under federal funding initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act.

The project underscores how cities like New York are evolving into living labs for energy transition, clean transport, and digital services—driven by collaboration with both local startups and international tech leaders.

How is LG CNS positioning itself in the global smart city race?

Globally, LG CNS has been increasingly active in deploying smart city infrastructure across Asia and is now making an assertive push into North America. In Seoul and other Korean cities, the company has implemented AI-based traffic control systems, integrated energy monitoring, and intelligent waste management platforms.

By entering the competitive U.S. market through a flagship project in New York, LG CNS is seeking to demonstrate the exportability of these solutions. The company’s presence at BAT—along with its collaboration with Matcha and the NYCEDC—signals its ambition to be a long-term technology partner for North American municipalities seeking to modernize their infrastructure with clean and intelligent technologies.

This initiative is also expected to enhance LG CNS’s visibility among U.S. regulators, utilities, and urban developers, potentially opening the door to additional projects in cities like Boston, Los Angeles, or Chicago.

What’s next for LG CNS and the Brooklyn Army Terminal?

As the EV chargers become available for public use through December 2025, feedback from users and stakeholders will be essential in refining the offering. NYCEDC’s ongoing pilot programs will monitor adoption rates, system reliability, and environmental impact metrics. Positive outcomes could lead to scaled deployments across other parts of the city or even nationwide.

The success of this project could also influence how cities around the world approach the integration of electric mobility and smart infrastructure. As LG CNS continues its North American expansion, Brooklyn may serve as a case study in how rapid, cooperative tech deployment can align with long-term public goals for sustainability and innovation.