City tries to prevent deadly lithium-ion battery fires

New York Mayor Eric Adams launched the New York City Safe Charging Accelerator program to ensure the safe use and charging of e-bikes and prevent deadly lithium-ion battery fires in New York City.

As part of the accelerator, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will propose a regulation to expedite permitting for property owners to more quickly install battery swap and e-bike charging lockers on public sidewalks, removing barriers to installation and making them accessible and usable for e-bike users, according to a press release.

The Department of Transportation will also launch the nation’s first municipal pilot program to replace unsafe e-bikes and other electric mobility devices and their batteries, allowing eligible food delivery workers to trade in their unsafe devices for certified, high-quality e-bikes and batteries.

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) will launch a $1 million education and awareness campaign about the dangers of dangerous lithium-ion batteries after new data showed that 59% of lithium-ion battery fires in 2023 occurred while the batteries were not being charged, according to a news release.

“When used correctly, e-bikes are a convenient, affordable transportation option that reduces congestion and emissions, and tens of thousands of delivery workers rely on them every day,” Adams said. “But too often, these bikes are powered by unsafe, uncertified batteries that can catch fire at any moment. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to stop these deadly fires and make it more affordable to use safe lithium-ion batteries.”

Illegal and unregulated batteries that power tens of thousands of micromobile devices in the city pose a serious risk to residents and emergency services due to the potential to explode and cause deadly fires.

Since 2019, lithium-ion batteries have caused 733 fires, killing 29 New Yorkers and injuring 442 more. Interestingly, in 2023, 133 fires were caused by uncharged lithium-ion batteries, compared to 91 that started while they were charging.

Simplifying Safe Electric Bike Charger Installation

To address fire safety concerns and promote the safe use of electric micromobility devices, DOT is proposing a rule that would expedite the issuance of permits for property owners to install battery swapping and charging cabinets for electric micromobility devices on public sidewalks, which is currently prohibited. The rule would allow property owners or commercial tenants, with the property owner’s consent, to apply for a permit to install a battery swapping and charging cabinet in front of their business on a sidewalk. Each cabinet must comply with specific location and dimensional requirements and undergo FDNY and DOB review and approval.

To support this effort, the FDNY will hire additional staff to enable expedited safety inspections and approvals of equipment for use in New York City. Once fully staffed, approval decisions should take no more than six weeks, with priority approvals for new technologies.

The city will publish clear guidelines for building owners to improve charging safety in their buildings. The FDNY will also update its website to make it easier for companies selling lithium-ion battery storage and swap cabinets to obtain FDNY approval.

To provide further guidance on lithium-ion battery policy, the city will convene a working group comprised of representatives from technology companies, real estate stakeholders and city experts in transportation and fire safety. Within 90 days of convening, the group will issue a set of recommendations for updating city regulations and processes to increase the number of safe charging lockers.

A public hearing on the administration’s battery swap and charging cabinet rules will be held online at 10 a.m. Aug. 21. Applications for the program will open in late 2024.

E-Micromobility Exchange Program for Food Delivery Workers

Currently, many food delivery drivers use uncertified e-bikes and heavier electric and gas mopeds that cannot be registered with the New York City Department of Motor Vehicles because they lack vehicle identification numbers. The DOT’s e-bike exchange program—the first city-run program of its kind in the country—will focus on replacing unsafe e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries with new devices.

Selected participants will receive a UL-certified e-bike and two compatible UL-certified batteries in exchange for the unsafe devices and batteries. By replacing these illegal devices with UL-certified e-bikes and batteries, the program will reduce the risk of fire and accidents; help participants comply with local and state regulations; and encourage employees to use cleaner, greener forms of e-mobility for deliveries.

The program allows for both e-micromobility devices and lithium-ion batteries to be traded in. This is intended to ensure that hazardous batteries and devices are completely removed from city streets and are compatible with the devices they power.

To be eligible, participants must live in New York City, be 18 years or older, have a working, eligible appliance, and have earned at least $1,500 in the previous year as a food delivery worker.

Participants will be provided with two batteries, as many providers report that a full day of work often requires the use of two batteries.

A public hearing on the new exchange administration program will be held online on Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. Applications for the program will open in early 2025. The electric bike and battery exchange will take place in 2025, using $2 million in funding.

FDNY Education Campaign

The FDNY will also launch a $1 million education campaign to further raise public awareness of the record-high number of lithium-ion battery fires and the dangers uncertified batteries pose — even when they are not charging.

Batteries must be safety certified by a nationally accredited testing laboratory such as UL and should never be repaired but replaced.

The devastating fire in May 2024 was caused by a moped battery that had not been used or charged for two years. In 2023, lithium-ion battery fires killed 18 people, making them one of the leading causes of fire deaths, the press release said.