New York state and city lawmakers set sights on unsafe lithium batteries

Lawmakers in New York City and statewide have moved to quell the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters.

One bill introduced in the state legislature would require all lithium-ion batteries and chargers for sale in New York to meet minimum industry safety standards. Another measure would ban the sale of second-use lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds.

The New York City Council recently approved legislation that would:

Add restrictions on selling, leasing, or renting powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes and electric scooters, and storage batteries that don’t meet industry safety standards.
Require the New York Fire Department to annually report on the fire risks associated with powered mobility devices.
Conduct a public information campaign on the fire risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.
Impose restrictions on assembling or reconditioning lithium-ion batteries with cells removed from used batteries and on selling such batteries.

More than 25 lithium-ion batteries in New York City caught fire through Feb. 24 this year, a fourfold increase over the same period in 2022. Some of these fires caused significant damage in residential buildings.

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