ALBANY, N.Y. (BRAIN) — State Sen. Iwen Chu recently introduced four bills to address the growing threat of lithium-ion battery fires that have plagued New York City, including one that would require all e-bike and e-scooter shops in the state to have fire suppression measures in place.
Dealers in the state who sell or repair e-bikes and e-scooters or who store lithium-ion batteries would be required to have, but not limited to, "Class B extinguishers, battery cases, and automatic monitoring and detection." The secretary of state would be authorized to issue "necessary rules and regulations, impose a fine of wilful failure to comply with such provisions."
Another bill introduced by Chu would require e-bike and e-scooter batteries to be tested and approved by UL. Earlier this year, the New York City Council passed and Mayor Eric Adams signed into law a lithium-ion battery safety package that included requiring all e-bikes (UL 2849) and lithium-ion batteries (UL 2272) sold in the city to meet those standards or another recognized certification standard. UL 2849 certifies the entire electrical system, including battery pack, motor, and controller.
A third bill would require e-bikes and e-scooters sold in the state to have a red tag attached to the charging cord "which states to unplug in emergency."
The fourth bill requires retailers in the state to have a notice affixed to e-bikes stating they are not allowed on sidewalks. The bill would authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue rules and regulations and impose fines for violations.
According to the FDNY, lithium-ion batteries have been responsible for 240 fires, 124 injuries, and 17 deaths this year. In New York City last year, there were 220 fires, 147 injuries, and six deaths.
