The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has begun the process of installing a citywide network of certified e-bike battery-swapping and charging cabinets.
Twenty-five locations in areas with high delivery activity have been identified for the first phase, forming part of the city’s ‘Charge Safe, Ride Safe’ strategy to reduce lithium-ion battery fires and improve conditions for delivery workers.
A delivery worker swaps e-bike batteries using a battery swap cabinet piloted in 2024
© NYC DOT
The initiative responds to a marked increase in fires linked to uncertified lithium-ion batteries; since 2022, these incidents have caused 900 fires, resulting in 30 deaths and 400 injuries. The new outdoor cabinets are designed to offer a safer alternative to home charging by securing batteries in monitored, certified units equipped with fire-suppression features, real-time diagnostic monitoring and automatic alerts to system operators.
NYC DOT will work with FDNY to ensure all installations meet relevant safety standards and site requirements.
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said:
Preventing lithium-ion battery fires is a top priority for the FDNY. Through a robust public education campaign and public outreach, we have been able to make progress in reducing deaths and injuries caused by these devices. By expanding access to safe charging infrastructure in neighbourhoods where delivery workers rely on e-bikes the most, the city is taking a critical next step to prevent future tragedies and keep New Yorkers safe.
Delivery workers will be able to access the full network through a paid membership, with pricing and membership details to be confirmed. Standardised batteries supplied by approved vendors will allow users to complete battery swaps in under a minute.
NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said:
Delivery workers have one of the toughest jobs in New York City. Building a public e-bike charging network is an investment in better working conditions and more peace of mind for working class New Yorkers. Safer charging practices are integral to a cleaner and more sustainable future, especially as e-bike use continues to grow citywide.
The cabinets will be placed to avoid obstructing pedestrian movement and to support street safety. Installation will follow a period of public engagement on location selection and design, with utility upgrades expected in 2026 and the first cabinets planned for 2027. Areas under consideration include much of Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Long Island City and parts of the South Bronx.
The programme builds on the 2024 pilot of battery-swapping cabinets, which the city found to be safe and practical for delivery workers. It complements wider efforts to improve micromobility safety and infrastructure.
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