NYC wants to block lithium-ion e-bike batteries at the border if they don’t meet safety standards due to recent fatal fires.

NYC wants to block lithium-ion e-bike batteries at the border if they don't meet safety standards due to recent fatal fires.

The Danger of E-Bike Batteries: Advocating for Safety and Regulation

The increasing popularity of e-bikes has brought about a concerning rise in fires and fatalities associated with faulty batteries. This alarming trend has sparked a call for stricter regulations surrounding the manufacturing, sale, reconditioning, charging, and storage of e-bike batteries. Consumer advocates and fire departments, particularly in New York City, are pressing the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish national safety standards and inspect imported e-bikes to ensure compliance. These efforts aim to remove unsafe e-bikes and poorly manufactured batteries from the streets and homes.

New York City has become the epicenter of battery-related fires, with more than 65,000 e-bikes traversing its streets. So far, there have been 100 battery-related blazes in the city this year, resulting in 13 fatalities, surpassing the six deaths recorded last year. Nationally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of over 200 battery-related fires from 39 states in the past two years, including 19 deaths attributed to micromobility devices such as battery-powered scooters, bicycles, and hoverboards.

In response to the mounting safety concerns, New York’s Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, introduced legislation that would establish mandatory safety standards for e-bikes and their batteries. Without mandatory regulations, poorly manufactured batteries have flooded the market, raising the risk of fires. To address the issue locally, New York City has enacted laws prohibiting the sale or rental of uncertified e-bikes and batteries. These regulations also ban tampering with batteries or selling refurbished ones made from recycled lithium-ion cells.

Despite these local efforts, the situation remains dire. The batteries in question are not typical fire hazards that smolder; they explode. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh emphasizes the urgency of national safety standards and stronger measures against potentially dangerous devices. These exploding batteries pose serious risks, making it difficult for people to escape their homes and impeding the efforts of firefighters to rescue them.

The growing popularity of motorized bicycles, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a surge in demand for food delivery workers. Many of these workers have turned to e-bikes for their deliveries. However, with the recent spate of fires, delivery workers like Lizandro Lopez are taking extra precautions. They are disconnecting the battery as soon as it’s charged, aware that leaving it connected for too long can lead to a fire.

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Los Deliveristas Unidos, an organization representing app-based delivery workers in New York, estimates that less than 10% of e-bikes sold in the city have been certified as safe. The lack of third-party evaluation contributes to the proliferation of cheap, poorly made batteries in the market. Matt Moore, from the PeopleForBikes Coalition, explains that these inexpensive alternatives often bypass design and testing standards, putting users at risk. Even with regulations in place, foreign sellers and manufacturers can still send non-compliant products into the United States.

E-bike batteries operate on the same principles as lithium-ion batteries found in cellphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. However, stringent regulations, safety standards, and compliance testing have significantly reduced the risk of fires in these devices, according to Robert Slone, a senior executive at UL Solutions, a product testing company. Slone believes that similar safety standards can be achieved for e-bike batteries through thorough testing and certification.

The issue extends beyond New York City. In London, lithium batteries are the city’s fastest-growing fire risk. San Francisco has seen a significant increase in battery fires in recent years as well. Last year, over 1.1 million e-bikes were imported into the United States, with aftermarket batteries gaining popularity due to their lower prices.

To combat these safety concerns, it is crucial to establish comprehensive national safety standards that regulate all aspects of e-bike batteries. Manufacturers, importers, and sellers must be held accountable for the quality of their products. Additionally, greater investment in public charging stations can help mitigate the risk of fires. By addressing these issues head-on, authorities can ensure the safety of users and prevent tragic incidents.

E-bikes offer a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation, but this should not come at the expense of safety. The push for national safety standards and stricter regulations is not only vital in New York City but also across the country and around the world. By taking decisive action, authorities can protect consumers, reduce the risk of fires, and ensure the continued growth of the e-bike industry.