On October 9, New York State implemented a law to protect riders of electric scooters, e-bikes and other micromobility devices from potential fires.
The legislation (S.154F/A.4938-D), which was sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, prohibits manufacturers and distributors of micromobility devices from using certain lithium-ion batteries that are susceptible to overheating and bursting into flames.
The law mandates lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices be made in accordance with industry safety standards and specifications. Under the new law, micromobility device manufacturers and distributors that use improper batteries and chargers face a $500 fine for an initial violation and fines of $1,000 for each subsequent violation.
When buying an e-bike, scooter or other device, consumers should avoid “low price, low quality” products that could put New Yorkers and their families at risk. Consumers should look for safety marks from a nationally recognized certification laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and EN 15194 (European standard). Safety marks, which consumers can find on product packaging, the product itself or within product details when shopping online, indicate a product has been certified to meet safety, quality, or security standards.
Additionally, it’s important consumers purchase products from reputable manufacturers and check for recalls listed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Consumers can file and read complaints about products on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
Lithium-ion batteries are used to power devices ranging from smartphones to scooters because they are easily rechargeable and can store large amounts of energy in a small space. However, if not treated properly, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, creating thermal runaway, which causes large fires.
Lithium-ion batteries ignited more than 250 fires and caused more than 130 injuries and at least 18 fatalities in New York City alone last year, with more fires occurring statewide.
Damaged, defective, or uncertified batteries pose a greater risk of combustion.
Earlier this year, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services created a Lithium-Ion Battery Consumer Safety Guide to give New Yorkers clear safety guidance (https://tinyurl.com/yn58996c).
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Micromobility devices like e-bikes play a huge part in our efforts to create a greener New York. While these devices are convenient, the lithium-ion batteries that power them can be potentially dangerous or even deadly if they are not made to industry safety standards and specifications. This new law will help keep unsafe and uncertified products off the market and further prevent any unnecessary accidents and injuries caused by these devices.”
For more, visit the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ website on battery safety at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/battery-safety.
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