New York City’s food carts are a vibrant part of its street life. They serve everything from tacos to kebabs at all hours. One thing most folks can agree on, though: the loud, smelly gas generators they use can go.
Enter a Brooklyn startup, PopWheels. They’re testing a revolutionary idea: swapping out gas generators for quiet, emissions-free e-bike batteries to power food carts.
Recently, they ran their first full test at La Chona Mexican, a popular cart in Manhattan. What caught the attention of nearby vendors? The silence. No noise, no fumes, and no vibrations.
PopWheels didn’t start with this plan. Initially, their mission was to tackle fire risks linked to e-bike batteries. Unsafe charging practices had led to several dangerous incidents. They created a network of fire-safe battery swap cabinets around Manhattan, allowing delivery riders to quickly exchange dead batteries for charged ones.
Now, that network has turned into an infrastructure for urban battery use. PopWheels operates numerous swapping stations, mainly helping gig workers using e-bikes for deliveries. These riders pay a flat fee for unlimited battery swaps, saving them time and money.
“We can save them money right off the bat,” said founder David Hammer, noting the service’s popularity among riders. There’s a waitlist to join in.
Once PopWheels sorted out battery charging and distribution, they saw new opportunities. Food carts rely heavily on electricity for lighting, refrigeration, and point-of-sale systems. Traditionally, they used small gas generators that could cost around $10 a day, not to mention the noise pollution.
A combination of four PopWheels batteries can provide enough power for a food cart’s daily needs. If more energy is needed, vendors can easily swap out a battery during the day. The costs are similar to using gas generators, but without the unpleasant side effects.
After a successful prototype at a climate-focused event, PopWheels partnered with the Street Vendor Project to launch this at real food carts. The recent Manhattan test marked a breakthrough for battery-powered carts.
Reactions were quick. Other vendors noticed the peaceful atmosphere and wanted to explore how it worked.
This approach aligns with NYC’s goals to decarbonize the food cart scene without burdening vendors financially. A battery system that aims to be cost-neutral, quieter, and cleaner represents a win-win solution. Battery-swapping offers a practical way to handle energy needs, treating it like a commodity that can be quickly replenished, similar to fueling a vehicle.
For PopWheels, this sparks a bigger vision. What began as a safety initiative for e-bikes might evolve into a broader energy solution for urban settings. It could power not just bikes and carts but much more.
This idea seems simple only after seeing it in action. E-bike batteries are already ubiquitous in NYC, functioning almost like a daily commodity. The swapping system is proven effective. Leveraging it to clear up food carts is smart and practical. If PopWheels can streamline this process for vendors, it could eliminate a common annoyance in New York—and that’s no easy feat.
