New York pilot scheme is part of administration’s “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” plan to support safe e-bike use

Battery charging and swapping innovator, Swobbee, is excited to be part of the DOT Studio, a partnership between the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Newlab, that aims to identify, test, and evaluate the most promising e-micromobility battery charging solutions, with the aim of improving safety and efficiency.

As a Studio participant, Swobbee is working with key stakeholders, including New York City Fire Department and local delivery workers, to test and refine products to fit the unique needs of New York City’s food delivery workers. Learnings from the pilot will be essential for informing the City’s approach to infrastructure in the era of electric micromobility.

The pilot will test a variety of technologies to charge e-bike batteries at multiple locations across the city.

“New Yorkers rely on delivery workers for so much, and this innovative pilot program will test different technologies to make this technology safer as we continue to do all we can to help protect workers from the dangers that lithium-ion batteries can pose,” said New York Mayor Eric Adams. “By investing in battery-swapping networks and fast-charging e-bike docks, we’re building e-bike-friendly infrastructure and preparing our city’s streets for a new generation of users. Today’s announcement builds on our holistic strategy to ensure that we safely harness the transformative potential of e-bikes in our city.”

“Delivery workers are under enormous economic pressure. When time is money, it’s no wonder when unsafe practices become the norm,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Delivery workers deserve a safe and sustainable way to make a living, as we all do. This pilot will not only protect them, but the families who share their homes. It is a crucial step in helping to create order and safety in the e-micromobility space.”

“The tremendous growth in electric bikes and other legal, two-wheeled devices provides an exciting glimpse into a future where New Yorkers are less dependent on large, more dangerous vehicles to get around,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Supporting this ridership boom with safe, public infrastructure can help make our city safer and more sustainable — while providing vital infrastructure for our delivery workers, who have one of the toughest jobs in New York City. We thank Mayor Adams for his support through the ‘Charge Safe, Ride Safe’ action plan to develop this pilot.”

“Spreading education about safe practices for lithium-ion batteries is one of the FDNY’s top priorities,” said Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “We know these fires can cause serious injury, and even death. We are grateful to our partners in city government for their out-of-the-box thinking on how we can embrace this new technology while also protecting lives.”

Swobbee warmly invites interested industry vehicle OEMs to join them, and participate in the vehicle ecosystem, providing bikes with safe batteries for delivery workers. Visit Swobbee’s website to get in touch.

Learn more about the pilot at the NYC Goverment website.

About Swobbee

As a provider of rental batteries and battery charging stations, Swobbee offers the world’s first manufacturer-independent battery swapping system. The Berlin-based green tech company supports micro-mobility businesses in implementing efficient, safe, and sustainable charging processes. Swobbee’s mission is to build a network of battery exchange stations with the goal of positively impacting the energy and mobility transition. Network effects such as cost savings and increased safety are created by reducing the distance traveled to swap batteries and by monitoring all charging processes and batteries. Swobbee’s battery exchange system allows for a risk-free and cost-optimized operation of various applications of electric micro-mobility, such as cargo bikes, scooters, kick scooters, and mopeds.