John Consiglio

It’s no question that New Yorkers like quick delivery — dinner, cocktails, groceries — and the demand for delivery has only grown in the past years. To account for demand, delivery workers have equipped themselves with electric bikes and scooters to improve their work, making their deliveries faster and increasing the number of trips one can do. These same workers who New Yorkers rely on are exposed to many risks in their daily routines including fires from lithium-ion batteries. While lithium-ion batteries are popular because they are lightweight and energy dense they also have the potential to overheat and catch fire while charging. In the past four years, there have been over 400 fires in NYC started by lithium-ion batteries, resulting in more than 300 injuries and 12 deaths, with over 200 fires in 2022 alone.

John is out to change this by designing a modular, easy-to-install, and fire-proof charging locker that can be approved for use in the same locations where most workers currently charge: garages, bodegas, homes, and repair shops. Building on his experience as a mechanical engineer designing products for Peloton, Stryker, and more, John envisions a charging station that can increase safety for thousands of at-risk workers.