BROOKLYN, NY, [January 23rd, 2025] — Oonee and Swobbee have received a federal grant of $3.7 million from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to develop and expand secure parking & charging networks for micromobility in Jersey City, NJ and Minneapolis, MN. The funding will support buildout of at least twenty stations in Minneapolis and expansion of at least ten new stations in Jersey City, adding to an already thriving system and bringing the citywide total to 17.
With more Americans relying on micromobility to get around, and e-bikes outselling electric cars, parking & charging facilities have proven to be essential infrastructure to the growing number of Americans that rely on micromobility devices for urban transportation. This transformative initiative will enhance access to safe, reliable, and sustainable micromobility infrastructure for commuters, delivery workers, and urban residents in the United States.
The grant also includes funding for New York University’s Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management to assess programmatic efficacy and to establish a best practices framework, which will serve as a guide to other cities that are seeking to adopt similar initiatives.
SUPERCHARGING MICROMOBILITY IN AMERICAN CITIES
The lack of public parking and charging infrastructure is a key barrier for many urban dwellers interested in using bikes, scooters, and other micromobility vehicles for their transportation needs. In New York City, twenty-five percent of all households have experienced bike theft. At the same time, uncertified batteries have caused more than 545 fires and 24 deaths since 2022, mostly from unsafe at-home charging practices. The impact is disproportionately borne by working-class and minority residents who are statistically more likely to depend on micromobility and less likely to have access to private bike rooms at their residences or workplaces.
“This is a watershed moment in the fight to bring this critical green infrastructure to communities across America. Having a safe, convenient place to park and charge is the cornerstone of the micromobility experience and therefore should be a regular part of the urban built environment,” said Shabazz Stuart, CEO of Oonee. “We’re looking forward to working with Swobbee, NYU, and the cities to create a template that can be replicated across America.”
„We are honored to receive this pivotal investment and to announce our partnership with Oonee and the NYU Rudin Center, which gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how Swobbee’s battery swapping and charging platform can serve as a blueprint for cities seeking to make micromobility safer, more affordable, and accessible to all,“ said Stephan von Wolff, General Manager at Swobbee US.
„This initiative represents a critical step forward in making micromobility a more viable transportation option for all urban residents,“ said Sarah M. Kaufman, Director of the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management. „By studying these implementations in Jersey City and Minneapolis, we’ll develop an evidence-based framework that cities across America can use to create safer, more equitable parking and charging networks for the growing number of people who rely on e-bikes and other micromobility devices.“
„Since becoming the first municipality in New Jersey to adopt Vision Zero in 2018, Jersey City has significantly expanded connectivity across the city,“ said Mayor Steven Fulop. „With initiatives like Oonee’s 24/7 secure bike storage, expanded Citi Bike stations, and Via Jersey City, our innovative approach to sustainable and reliable transit is encouraging greener commutes and reducing traffic while meeting our residents’ mobility needs. Jersey City looks forward to expanding our Citywide network of secure bike parking and charging facilities and thanks the Joint Office of Energy and Technology for the funding support.“
„Minneapolis is excited to partner with Oonee and Jersey City and grateful to receive this grant to expand its micromobility parking and charging network.“ said Tim Sexton, Director of Minneapolis Public Works. „As e-bikes become more popular and prices continue to rise, secure bike parking is critical to ensuring that residents and visitors have secure places to park and charge their vehicles as they go to work, school and other activities.“
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROJECT:
- Locations: Jersey City, NJ and Minneapolis, MN
- Funding Purpose: Implementing municipal parking & charging networks for micromobility users
- When: Starting in 2025
- Partners: Oonee, Swobbee, and the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management
- Support from: Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
ABOUT OONEE
Based in Brooklyn, NY, Oonee has championed the design and buildout of secure parking and charging infrastructure in New York and other markets across the country. The company works with communities, top OEMs and local governments to design and source attractive, user-friendly and highly functional micromobility and placemaking infrastructure. As the largest operator of such facilities in the New York region, the Company has worked closely with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the City of Jersey City and Madison International Realty. To learn more visit https://www.oonee.us/.
ABOUT SWOBBEE
Swobbee is the European market leader in battery charging and swapping solutions for light electric vehicles. With a network of over 100 stations globally, Swobbee is dedicated to creating the infrastructure necessary for the sustainable micromobility revolution. The company is
ABOUT THE NYU RUDIN CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND
MANAGEMENT
The Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management at NYU’s Wagner School seeks to improve the flow of people and goods in the New York metropolitan area. We draw upon scholars, graduate students, and public officials who participate in our public forums and shape our research. We also prepare emerging leaders in the transportation field, explore how new technologies will influence mobility, and study how emerging patterns of work will affect locational preferences.
We conduct research on topics such as the challenges women face when riding public transportation, the need to improve accessibility, and the policy issues brought about by emerging autonomous technologies. The Rudin Center was named in recognition of a gift from Lewis Rudin and receives support from leading firms in transportation, finance, and communications. The director of the Center is Sarah M. Kaufman.
To learn more, visit https://wagner.nyu.edu/rudincenter
For more details, visit the Joint Office’s official page: https://driveelectric.gov/communities-taking-charge.
