How PopWheels helped a food cart ditch generators for e-bike batteries

The article discusses how PopWheels, a Brooklyn-based startup known for providing e-bike battery swapping and charging services, is pioneering the use of its e-bike batteries to power New York City food carts as an alternative to traditional gas generators. Food carts, a common sight in NYC, typically rely on noisy and polluting gas generators to power lights and other electrical needs, which can deter customers. PopWheels saw an opportunity to leverage its existing decentralized battery swapping infrastructure—originally designed for gig economy delivery workers—to offer a cleaner, quieter power source for these carts. Their batteries can be swapped midday if more power is needed, and the cost of subscribing to four batteries per day roughly matches the daily gas expenses of a food cart, making the solution economically viable. PopWheels operates 30 charging cabinets across Manhattan, supporting hundreds of customers who use e-bikes for deliveries. These cabinets are designed with safety features to quickly extinguish battery fires, addressing a significant safety concern in the industry. The company