PopWheels, a Cutting-Edge NY-Based E-Bike Battery Swap Network, Raises $4.7M, is Growing Fast
New York based startup PopWheels announced in December 2025 it has raised $4.7 million to expand its micromobility battery swapping infrastructure, targeting the safety and economic challenges faced by the city’s delivery workforce. New York City is home to an estimated 80,000 delivery workers, many of whom own their own e-bikes and charge batteries in apartments, basements, or small retail spaces.
PopWheels replaces that model by allowing riders to surrender personal batteries and instead check out compatible, professionally managed batteries from a citywide network of kiosks. When a battery runs low, it can be swapped for a fully charged unit in seconds, eliminating downtime and reducing safety risks.
“This moves battery charging out of homes and informal spaces and into certified, purpose built infrastructure,” PopWheels President David Hammer said in comments to Zag Daily. He added that because PopWheels owns and continuously monitors the batteries, the company can manage battery lifecycles far more safely and effectively than individual riders.
The service costs $75 per month, which Hammer says is significantly cheaper than purchasing, maintaining, and charging batteries independently. He noted that some riders report earning thousands of dollars more annually because they no longer need to worry about running out of battery power during shifts.
PopWheels was also the top performer in a New York City Department of Transportation pilot program that tested outdoor e-bike charging solutions. According to Hammer, nearly 90% of participating riders stopped charging batteries at home during the pilot.
The funding round includes $2.3 million in equity capital and up to $2.4 million through the company’s first major credit facility. Investors include the Partnership Fund for New York City, MetaProp, Closed Loop Ventures, and New York Ventures, the venture capital arm of New York State.
The company plans to use the capital to scale its battery swapping network across New York City, Washington, D.C., and an additional eight to ten cities across North America. Partnership Fund President and CEO Maria Gotsch said PopWheels’ model reduces fire risk while expanding economic opportunity for a largely underserved workforce.
PopWheels recently completed its 100,000th battery swap in less than six months of operation. Earlier this year, Hammer appeared on Zag Daily’s Zag Talk podcast to discuss his transition into hardware, collaboration with city agencies, and the opportunity to build products specifically for delivery workers.
Popwheels Is Transforming Urban Mobility
PopWheels is transforming urban mobility in the United States with a next generation e-bike battery swap network built for delivery workers and everyday riders. eBike riders can swap batteries in seconds, ride longer, and eliminate the costs and risks associated with charging.
Join the waitlist and download the PopWheels app on the App Store or Google Play to get started.
Delivery riders save $500 or more per year with no upfront costs, no maintenance fees, and no need to purchase expensive batteries or charging equipment. Riders never have to end a shift early due to low battery levels, since a fully charged battery is always nearby. All PopWheels batteries are certified and maintained in house to meet strict safety standards, reducing fire risk and providing peace of mind.
Riders simply swap an empty battery for a fully charged one at any PopWheels station. Drop in the depleted battery, grab a fresh one, and get back on the road with virtually no downtime. Unlimited battery swaps are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The PopWheels network supports Arrow 9, Arrow 10, and Whizz e-bikes, using high quality batteries that are professionally maintained for reliability and performance. The PopWheels app allows riders to locate stations, check out batteries on demand, and manage their accounts seamlessly.
Customers consistently praise the simplicity and value of the service. One rider says it is the perfect solution because it saves money and makes swapping extremely easy. Another notes that swaps take less than a minute and save both time and money.
PopWheels is on a mission to make streets safer for delivery workers and e-bike owners. The team includes entrepreneurs, technologists, and bike enthusiasts who believe electric mobility should be safe, affordable, and accessible. The company is offering safer infrastructure and professionally managed batteries.
PopWheels is located at 19 Morris Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Customer support is available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at info@popwheels.club.
