NYC Seeks Public Input on E-Bike Battery Swap Stations

Mayor and DOT Commissioner launch portal for New Yorkers to suggest locations for roughly 25 e-bike charging cabinets across the city.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:30am

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A highly detailed, 3D illustration of a glowing, modular e-bike battery swapping cabinet, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the sleek, futuristic design. The cabinet is set against a dark, industrial backdrop, representing the intersection of technology and urban infrastructure.Conceptual rendering of the new e-bike battery swapping cabinets that will be installed across New York City to support delivery workers and promote sustainable transportation.NYC Today

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn have launched a public portal for New Yorkers to help determine the locations of approximately 25 e-bike battery swapping cabinets across the city. The cabinets will provide safe charging stations where electric micromobility users can swap out dead batteries for full ones, supporting delivery workers and embracing the growing use of e-bikes in the city.

Why it matters

E-bike battery swapping cabinets are essential infrastructure for delivery workers who often have to carry multiple heavy batteries to last a full shift. The cabinets will help mitigate the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion e-bike batteries, which are often linked to the use of uncertified or low-quality batteries, improper charging, and lack of safe storage spaces.

The details

The battery swapping cabinets will be owned and operated by a vendor or vendors selected through an RFP process. They will be weather-resistant, theft-proof, and fire-proof structures that include battery health monitoring and fire suppression systems. The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is also extending the filing deadline for the outdoor installation of grandfathered charging cabinets to ensure all cabinets and batteries meet the highest safety standards.

  • In 2024, NYC DOT conducted a successful six-month public e-bike battery charging pilot.
  • NYC DOT aims to bring power to the finalized locations with cabinets available for use starting in 2028.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City.

Mike Flynn

The Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT).

Lillian Bonsignore

The Commissioner of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY).

Doreen M. Harris

The President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

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What they’re saying

“We're building a city around the people who live and work here - their jobs, their dreams, their lives reflected in the infrastructure we invest in. These e-bike battery swapping cabinets are about supporting workers, making our city safer and embracing the kinds of transportation New Yorkers are already turning to in growing numbers.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor

“E-bikes are an efficient, sustainable way to get around the city - and thousands of delivery workers rely on them every day. These battery swapping cabinets will make charging safer and more accessible on the job. We're also inviting New Yorkers to weigh in through a new portal to help us place them where they'll work best and have the biggest impact.”

— Mike Flynn, NYC DOT Commissioner

“Public safety is at the core of everything the FDNY does. As part of this effort, the Department is extending the filing deadline for the outdoor installation of grandfathered charging cabinets under the Letters of No Objection program through September 2026. From a fire prevention standpoint, this additional time is critical: it allows more Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories to come online for UL 1487 certification and will ensure these cabinets meet the highest safety standards.”

— Lillian Bonsignore, FDNY Commissioner

“NYSERDA has provided support for flexible, accessible and affordable mobility choices throughout New York City. NYC DOT's new online portal will allow residents to submit recommendations on where they think safe, effective battery charging should be located in neighborhoods - which is essential to ensure that e-bike use is as effective as it can be for those living and working each day in those communities.”

— Doreen M. Harris, NYSERDA President and CEO

What’s next

NYC DOT will review the public's comments on the preliminary sites, refine the list of locations based on this input and develop a prioritized list of approximately 25 locations to initiate the project's design phase.

The takeaway

The new e-bike battery swapping cabinets are an important step in supporting delivery workers, improving public safety, and embracing sustainable transportation in New York City. By involving the public in the process, the city is ensuring these cabinets are placed where they will have the biggest impact on the communities that rely on them.