Battery Swapping Finally Arrives in the US for E-Bikes
Battery swapping has long been a success in Asia, Africa, and South America, but the US has been slow to adopt the technology. Now, signs of acceleration are appearing, with Honda joining efforts to gain an early foothold. The focus is on e-bike delivery services, particularly in New York City, where fire hazards from home recharging have spurred action.
NYC Pilot Project Paves the Way
In 2024, New York City launched a pilot test of public battery swapping stations for e-bike deliveristas. The goal is to reduce fires caused by uncertified, unsafe batteries charged at home. According to the NYC Department of Transportation, e-bike battery recharging has been linked to hundreds of fires, with 30 deaths and 400 injuries recorded between 2022 and 2025. The pilot also highlights workforce benefits, such as delivering with a single battery instead of carrying a backup.
Swobbee and SINBON Lead the Charge
The pilot was deemed a success. In February 2025, Swobbee, the city’s swapping partner, announced plans to install 25 swapping stations around New York, focusing on high-traffic locations. The US branch of global connectivity firm SINBON is also collaborating.
First Station Opens at City Hall
In April 2025, New York City teamed up with US Senator Chuck Schumer and the organization City Hall Park Deliverista Hub to launch the first station in lower Manhattan. The station is described as “the first worker-designed rest and e-bike charging hub for delivery workers in the United States.” NYC Parks provided the location at a former newsstand near City Hall Park, and NYC DOT provided bike parking and a street access zone on Broadway.
Community Approval Underway
For the remaining 24 sites, approval from local community boards is required. On July 2, 2025, Patch reported that Community Board 8 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side approved two locations: at East 79th Street & Second Avenue, and East 73rd Street & First Avenue. Both sites were chosen to avoid reducing pedestrian space or infringing on infrastructure. Full board hearings are scheduled for July 15, with installations beginning early next year and commissioning in 2028.
Honda Enters the US Market with Swappable Battery
Earlier in 2025, Honda announced it is launching its ‘Honda Mobile Power Pack e:’ (MPP) battery for two-wheelers in the US. The company aims to partner with other firms for product integration. Honda states the MPP addresses long charging times, inadequate range, and high battery costs. The battery is portable and swappable, designed for use with Honda products and other OEMs. Globally, Honda has collaborated with Yamaha on battery swapping for the new in select Japanese cities, but Yamaha does not market EVs in the US.
Swaptopus: Battery Swapping for Trucks in Europe
While full-scale swapping for passenger cars seems unlikely in the US, new markets are emerging overseas. The “Swaptopus” effort—a play on UK firm Octopus Energy—will begin with an initial tranche of battery swapping stations in the UK in 2026, with more than 30 across Europe by 2035. The aim is to replace gas-guzzling trucks with electric trucks, avoiding long charging times. Octopus and partner CATL expect to support over 300,000 trucks. CATL Chairman and CEO stated the partnership will speed up electrification of road transport. Swaptopus CEO William Rowe emphasized that swapping stations act as virtual power plants, lowering costs for consumers. Octopus Energy has a footprint in Texas, where battery swapping for larger EVs could emerge in the US.