Oonee Expanding Bike Storage, Charging

We recently ran a piece that considered whether e-bike charging stations or battery swap kiosks were the future of e-bike infrastructure. While we think that battery swapping is the most efficient approach, due to the technical challenges of having so many different batteries on the market, charging stations seem to be an easier solution to implement. Oonee is a relatively new company that is providing e-bike infrastructure to communities that has decided to skip the either/or question and move toward offering both.

Oonee makes a variety of bike storage and e-bike charging solutions. They range from as small as a five e-bike charging station called a Dock all the way up to Dutch-style storage rooms (Hub) that can store 100+ bikes and e-bikes and provide charging as well.

While the Hub is a solution that is implemented in a building, the midsize designs—Pod, Mini and Lite—are small enough that they can be constructed outside transit stations. They feature controlled entry and exit, ADA ramps, assisted-lift bike racks, and a rooftop planter with irrigation. The Pod and Mini are big enough to step inside, while the Lite is a multi-bike locker.

Oonee has already provided solutions in New York and New Jersey and is about to begin a pilot program with the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis plans to set up 15-20 locations over the course of the three-year program.

Oonee intends to cover the expense of running the locations by offering advertising, but may charge a nominal fee to users through their app.