Massachusetts Pioneers New E-Bike Charging Stations in Low-income Communities

September 2024 – In a groundbreaking initiative to advance sustainable transportation and provide affordable mobility options for low-income communities, Metro Mobility, a Cambridge-based startup, is using funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to expand access to Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). Metro Mobility has installed its innovative ChargeLock™ e-bike stations in several communities throughout eastern Massachusetts, offering extremely low-cost e-bike rentals to income-qualified residents.

Empowering Communities with Green Transportation

Metro Mobility has collaborated with municipalities, employers, housing authorities, and private affordable housing providers to install ChargeLock enabled e-bike libraries and make them accessible to priority populations in need of transportation. This initiative offers a new, green electrified transportation option to low-income communities, residents of multi-unit dwellings, and those in need of transportation to access job opportunities, thereby addressing both environmental and economic challenges in the Commonwealth.

Metro Mobility’s ChargeLock: The Future of LEV Infrastructure

Central to this program is Metro Mobility’s patented ChargeLock system, which represents a significant advancement in LEV infrastructure. The ChargeLock stations are designed with several unique features which allow for a sustainable operating model:

• A Cable to Lock and Charge: ChargeLock uses a durable, flexible braided steel cable to both lock and charge the e-bikes simultaneously. Users simply plug the cable into the e-bike to end their rental, lock the e-bike, and begin charging. This design eliminates many of the challenges with traditional docking and allows for compatibility with any Light Electric Vehicle design.
• Minimal Infrastructure: The minimal design of ChargeLock stations allows for low capital costs and makes installation quick and cost-effective. This reduces overall expenditure and allows for rapid deployment and flexibility in installation site choice.
• Automatic Charging: E-bikes are always charging when at the station, eliminating the need for regular visits to charge or swap batteries, and significantly lowering operating costs for a shared e-bike fleet while ensuring a seamless user experience.
• Round-Trip Rental Model: The program additionally employs a round-trip rental model where users return e-bikes to the same station they were rented. This further lowers operating expenses by eliminating the need to rebalance bikes between stations.

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A Blueprint for Global Electrification

This innovative program has created the blueprint for electrifying the world’s transportation network through Light Electric Vehicle adoption. LEVs, such as e-bikes and scooters, offer numerous advantages over traditional car-sized EVs, making them an ideal choice for broad adoption:

• Lower Cost and Barrier to Entry: LEVs are significantly more affordable than car-sized EVs, making them accessible to a broader population, and allowing public spending in the sector to benefit a much larger portion of the population. Dollars spent on LEVs can deploy orders of magnitude more vehicles and quickly facilitate widespread adoption.
• Reduced Infrastructure Requirements: LEVs require far less infrastructure than the high-voltage charging networks and parking required for car-sized EVs, allowing for quicker and more flexible deployment.
• Immediate Impact on GHG Emissions: E-bike use delivers immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by replacing internal combustion engine vehicle trips with transportation that is 20 to 30 times more efficient than even car-sized EVs.
• Efficiency in Urban Environments: LEVs are ideal for urban settings as they avoid traffic congestion and require minimal parking or storage space.

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Leading the Charge

“We are proud to be working with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to bring our ChargeLock stations and e-bikes to communities across the state,” said David Montague, CEO of Metro Mobility. “This program not only offers a sustainable transportation solution but also enhances mobility options for low-income residents, promoting social equity and environmental responsibility.”

The ChargeLock stations are set to revolutionize the way people access and use e-bikes, making green transportation more accessible than ever before. As this initiative rolls out, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Metro Mobility are setting a new standard for sustainable, scalable, and efficient transportation solutions.

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About Metro Mobility

Metro Mobility is a leading innovator in the micromobility industry, dedicated to developing solutions that enhance urban transportation while prioritizing sustainability and user experience. Based in Cambridge, MA, Metro Mobility is at the forefront of the movement to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly future for cities around the world. For more information, please visit www.metromobility.io.

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About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center  

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded over $650 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.5 billion in private and federal capital. For more information, please visit www.masscec.com.

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Contact:‍

Ryan Walas
Metro Mobility, LLC
+1-617-491-7200  x202
rwalas@metromobility.io