New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday his administration will launch a new lithium-ion battery charging pilot program in early 2024 that will allow the first delivery workers to safely charge batteries in public places. “This pilot will test various e-bike battery charging technologies at multiple locations across the city as part of the government’s Safe Charge, Safe Ride initiative to protect New Yorkers from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and promote safe electric batteries. micromobility,” Adams’ team said in a statement. The pilot builds on earlier plans to develop more charging options for New Yorkers, including working with Los Deliveristas Unidos and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to create “delivery stations” in empty newsstands.” The U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated $25 million to install 173 on-street micro-electric vehicle charging and storage stations at 53 New York City Housing Authority developments. E-bikes and e-scooters have become a necessity for delivery workers, but they also pose a serious fire hazard. By 2023, there will be 253 fires involving electric vehicle batteries, up from 30 in 2019.