Brooklyn Based Electric Bike Company Among Finalists in NYCx Climate Change Action Challenge
Brooklyn-based JUMP Bikes is among the six finalists announced in the NYCx Climate Action Challenge. Jump Bikes, which was purchased by ride share giant Uber in April, entered the challenge following the December 2017 announcement by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The Climate Action Challenge is a partnership with NYC Mayors Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Office of Sustainability, New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and NYC Department of Transportation.
The challenge was a call to action for the technology industry to develop solutions for scaling electric vehicle charging infrastructure and accelerating the use of EVs citywide. Nearly three dozen international and local organizations submitted breakthrough technology solutions, including solar canopies, energy-harnessing infrastructure, and software to connect vehicle batteries to the energy grid.
“Here in our city, were doing our part to leave future generations a cleaner and healthier planet. New York City continues to lead the charge against climate change, exploring all our options to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Mayor de Blasio said. “The technologies developed by the NYCx finalists could make it easier than ever for New Yorkers to switch to electric vehicles and other alternative, clean modes of transportation.”
Finalists received up to $13,000 to demonstrate their solutions in NYC. In addition to their demonstrations, finalists delivered presentations to senior government leaders, including New York Citys Chief Fleet Officer. The winner of the challenge will be announced in July and may have the opportunity to do a longer demonstration project with the NYC Department of Transportation or Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
Winning solutions will complement the Citys plan to develop fast charging stations across the city with a $10 million investment to develop hubs with up to 20 chargers per site. These efforts can, in coordination with the City’s Clean Fleet program, support the Administrations target of having 20 percent of motor vehicle registrations in New York City be electric by 2025.
In addition to their NYC demonstrations, finalists will be invited to Paris to meet senior leaders from across City government, the local startup ecosystem, Paris & Co (the economic development and innovation agency of Paris), NUMA Innovation Hub, and others. They will also be invited to participate in the City of Paris upcoming Innovation Districts Competition focused on new mobility, with more details to be announced at a later date.
Boston-based Innogy Consulting in partnership with Chinatown Bureau, a New York-based digital product studio that has led mobility solutions for Ford and Lincoln Motor Company in the US and China, re also among finalists in the NYCx Climate Action Challenge.
