New York City has launched a six-month pilot program to test battery-powered food carts in an effort to reduce noise and air pollution caused by the tens of thousands of petrol generators currently used by street vendors. The initiative, which began in July, involves 10 vendors using electric batteries instead of traditional fuel-powered generators to operate their carts, which sell a variety of foods including hot dogs, empanadas, and fried shrimp.
Among the participants is William Arevalo, a 59-year-old vendor from Queens whose family has been operating a food truck for over two decades. Arevalo noted significant improvements since switching to the electric system, including the elimination of generator noise and the reduction of harmful exhaust fumes that previously filled his cart. He also highlighted the battery system’s reliability, particularly during hot weather when fuel generators can overheat and shut down.
The pilot uses rechargeable batteries similar to those found in electric bicycles, supplied and charged by PopWheels, a local startup. These batteries are stored in fire-resistant lockers located near the vending sites. Each cart is equipped with an inverter capable of holding up to six foot-long batteries, providing sufficient power to operate freezers and fans, with batteries needing replacement roughly every five hours.
The city’s council estimates that converting all 20,500 licensed food carts to electric power could be comparable to removing 30,000 cars from the road each year in terms of emissions reduction. However, the transition faces significant hurdles, including the initial costs of installing inverter systems— which can range into the thousands of dollars—and the development of adequate charging infrastructure.
Previous attempts to electrify food carts in New York have faced challenges. A 2013 project connected some Manhattan carts directly to the city’s power grid, successfully lowering noise and emissions but lacking scalability. Another pilot by a vendor nonprofit encountered difficulties due to insufficient charging facilities.
City officials express optimism that this new approach will overcome past obstacles through a proposed subscription-based service model. Vendors would pay a fee to access batteries and charging stations, with costs expected to be competitive with, or lower than, current fuel expenses. The city is also exploring financial assistance options such as loans to help vendors cover upfront equipment costs.
Isabela Brown, senior policy adviser at the mayor’s climate office, emphasized the potential for the pilot to be economically viable and sustainable, noting the long-term savings on operational costs compared to petrol generators. The outcome of the trial may shape future efforts to modernize street vending in New York while contributing to the city’s broader environmental and public health goals.