NYC DOT Finalizes New Rules to Expand Access to E-Bike Battery Charging Cabinets on Sidewalks, Building on Success of Pilot Program That Reduced E-Battery Charging in Apartment

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 2, 2025

Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov

NYC DOT Finalizes New Rules to Expand Access to E-Bike Battery Charging Cabinets on Sidewalks, Building on Success of Pilot Program That Reduced E-Battery Charging in Apartments

Property Owners And Tenants May Apply to Install E-micromobility Battery Swapping and Charging Cabinets on Public Sidewalks in Front of Their Buildings Under New Rule

Pilot Program Users Say Battery Swapping and Charging Cabinets Improve Safety, Quality of Life, and Productivity

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the final rules authorizing property owners and tenants to seek approval to install electric micromobility device battery swapping and charging cabinets on sidewalks within the public right-of-way in front of their properties. Building on the success of last year's pilot program that reduced e-battery charging in apartments, this rule is one of the key pieces of the Adams Administration's Charge Safe, Ride Safe initiative to combat lithium-ion battery fires and support safe e-mobility use.

"Safer charging practices are integral to a cleaner and more sustainable future and installing charging infrastructure throughout the five boroughs will support the growth in e-bikes while also protecting all New Yorkers from deadly fires," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "These new rules will expand access to safe e-bike charging options and are informed by our public pilot, which increased the use of safer certified e-bike batteries, reduced in-home charging, and gave delivery workers greater peace of mind."

"Protecting the public from the dangers of lithium-ion batteries is critically important to the safety of our city. As we enter an increasingly green future with a continued focus on renewable energy, we know we must explore every option in making sure these devices are used properly, and safely," said FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker. "The new rules will give New Yorkers another option for storing and charging these devices outside their homes, which we know will keep residents and firefighters safe."

Under the new rules, published Thursday in the City Record, a battery swapping and charging cabinet may be installed outdoors and adjacent to buildings with ground floor commercial and community facility uses and residential buildings with five or more dwelling units.

Each battery swapping and charging cabinet will need to comply with existing siting requirements for revocable consents, including clear path requirements to make sure there is space for the comfortable movement of pedestrians, and minimum clearance requirements from existing elements, such as subway entrances and bus stops. Additionally, each cabinet will need to comply with new size and installation requirements.

The new rules will take effect, and individuals may start the application process, on February 1, 2025.

In tandem with NYC DOT's role reviewing applications through revocable consent, the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) district offices will conduct site inspections prior to installation. Additionally, FDNY Technology Management does and will continue to approve emerging e-micromobility battery charging cabinet (“Cabinet”) technology for use in New York City.

In recent years, ridership of micromobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, has skyrocketed. This includes increased ridership of e-bikes and illegal e-mopeds that use low-quality and uncertified lithium-ion batteries. The proliferation of these low-quality batteries combined with unsafe charging practices has contributed to an increase in fires started by lithium-ion batteries, which are now a leading cause of fires and fire deaths in New York City.

Electric micromobility device battery swapping and charging cabinets provide a safer way for e-bike users to charge and access Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-certified batteries that are designed to minimize fire risk. Batteries used in battery swapping systems are owned, digitally monitored, and inspected by battery swapping companies, further reducing risks because companies can proactively identify damaged batteries and remove them from circulation.

Charge Safe, Ride Safe.

In addition to public e-bike charging initiatives, Mayor Adams' Charge Safe, Ride Safe Action Plan is focused on building a safe, welcoming environment for e-bike riders citywide. To promote the safe use of e-bikes and reduce risk of deadly e-bike fires, often caused by uncertified batteries, NYC DOT is launching an e-bike trade-in program. Eligible delivery workers will be able to trade-in their substandard e-bike or non-street legal moped for a safer UL-certified e-bike with a spare UL-certified battery.

Additionally, the FDNY launched a $1 million public education and awareness campaign this summer on the dangers of unsafe lithium-ion batteries, following data showing that 59 percent of 2023's lithium-ion battery fires started when those batteries were not charging.

"The rules announced today will greatly improve public safety by making it much easier to safely charge e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility devices," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "These rules will significantly reduce the fire risk from lithium-ion batteries and give us confidence that micromobility devices, which have become extremely popular in Queens and across the city, can be used safely. I commend the administration for developing these rules and for undertaking all of its efforts to reduce the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries."

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