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Food Carts Go Green With E-Bike Batteries
24 Jan
Summary
- E-bike batteries are being tested to power New York City food carts.
- PopWheels' system offers a cost-neutral alternative to gas generators.
- The startup aims to eliminate noise and fumes from food cart operations.

New York City's iconic food carts are poised for a significant transformation, potentially swapping noisy, fume-spewing gas generators for eco-friendly e-bike batteries. PopWheels, a Brooklyn startup, is spearheading this initiative, having successfully powered a Mexican food cart for a full day using its battery swapping technology.
This groundbreaking approach aims to address the quality of life issues stemming from generator emissions. PopWheels' CEO, David Hammer, believes the system can be cost-neutral for food cart owners compared to current gasoline expenses. The startup's existing infrastructure, designed for e-bike deliveries, features decentralized charging cabinets that can swiftly extinguish battery fires, addressing a critical safety concern that emerged a few years ago.
PopWheels is preparing for an aggressive rollout this summer, aiming to provide a sustainable and quiet power source for the city's vast food cart industry. The technology offers approximately five kilowatt-hours of electricity per subscription, with options to swap batteries for extended power needs. This move aligns with New York City's broader decarbonization goals for its mobile food vendors.



