CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (BRAIN) — The state's first solar-powered e-bike charging and rental station opened in Somerville on Thursday that's part of a collaboration between Metro Mobility and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
The project, which Metro Mobility labeled "a groundbreaking model for clean, affordable, first-mile/last-mile transit," is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) ACT4All program.
The Davis Square ChargeLock Solar station offers round-trip e-bike rentals that are 100% off-grid, providing power from integrated solar panels and a storage battery that keeps e-bikes charged regardless of weather. To support environmental and transportation equity goals, day rentals for income-qualified riders cost $1.
The ChargeLock system can be configured to charge and lock e-bikes and e-scooters interchangeably. Accessibility is through the Metro Mobility app. It features a braided steel cable that locks and charges. ChargeLock stations have a minimal design to make installation "quick and cost-effective," Metro Mobility said.
While ChargeLock has powered numerous grid-connected stations for micromobility fleets in Massachusetts and California, the solar model removes the need for electrical infrastructure, allowing e-bike charging stations to be deployed virtually anywhere with adequate sunlight.
"This project demonstrates what's possible when public transit, clean energy, and innovation come together," said Metro Mobility CEO David Montague. "The ChargeLock Solar station is not just a pilot; it's a scalable blueprint for how we connect communities to transit in a clean and equitable way."
The Davis Square location also will generate operational insights with the ChargeLock Solar station and the IoT-enabled e-bikes it supports continuously collecting data on power generation, battery use, trip distance, and rider trends. Riders will be prompted to complete short surveys in the Metro Mobility app, allowing the company and its public partners to track trip purpose, mode shift, and equity impact.
The data offers a look into the performance and potential of fully off-grid micromobility programs, providing MassCEC and the MBTA guidance for future deployments across the Commonwealth.
