Deadly Fire Incidents in New York Spike Following E-Bike Adoption

An electric scooter with a battery sits parked outside of a Bronx supermarket in New York City on March 6, 2023, the day after a 5-alarm fire tore through a market that fire officials are blaming on a faulty lithium-ion battery. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Fire incidents triggered by lithium-ion batteries have spiked in New York City in recent years as more people adopt electric vehicles, especially e-bikes.

Fires caused by batteries powering e-micromobility devices like e-bikes rose from 44 in 2020 to 220 in 2022 in NYC. Between 2021 and 2022, such fires resulted in 226 injuries and 10 deaths. In the first two months of 2023, 40 injuries and two deaths have been linked to battery fires. E-bike usage shot up during the COVID pandemic after they were legalized in New York 3 years ago. At present, over 40,000 delivery workers in NYC use e-bikes.

“Fires caused by batteries that power e-micromobility devices are a significant problem in New York City … These fires are particularly severe and difficult to extinguish, spreading quickly, and producing noxious fumes,” according to a March 20 press release from the City of New York.

Even as NYC Mayor Eric Adams promotes e-bikes as a “convenient transportation” option for New Yorkers, he admitted that faulty and illegal devices are making their way into homes and streets, triggering fires and “putting lives at risk.”

Lithium-ion batteries are also used in industrial settings. However, these setups are heavily regulated and subject to professional supervision. This is not the case with smaller lithium batteries used in e-bikes and other devices. Customers tend to usually not have much of an understanding of the fire risks posed by such batteries.

On March 5, a lithium battery from an electric mobility device was blamed for triggering a five-alarm fire in the Bronx, with the incident ending up leveling a laundromat and a supermarket.

More recently, a teenager and a child were killed on April 10 in Queens due to a fire that officials say began after the battery of a charging e-bike blew up.

In August last year, a fire sparked by lithium batteries from an e-bike in an East Harlem apartment killed a 36-year-old woman and a 5-year-old girl.

Similar accidents have occurred in other places across the United States. In January, a home in Brockton, Massachusetts, went up in flames, with the lithium-ion batteries in the basement blamed for the fire.

In February, a malfunctioning lithium-ion battery pack triggered a house fire in Loudoun County, Virginia, ending up killing a man.

E-Bike Fires, Regulations

Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn pointed out that incidents of electric batteries exploding have happened both when they were being charged and otherwise.

The battery fires “spread very, very quickly and they come on without notice … They’re extremely volatile, they almost explode,” Flynn said, according to ABC.

In 2021, FDNY chose to ban e-batteries at its headquarters. Multiple private buildings are also opting for similar regulations.

The mayor has signed five bills into law to boost fire safety and to further regulate the sale of lithium-ion batteries in NYC. One of the bills prohibits the sale, lease, or rental of e-bikes and their batteries that do not meet recognized safety standards.

The electrical system for such bikes must be “certified by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2849, or such other safety standard as the department has established by rule in consultation with the fire department,” the bill states.

Plus, such certification or the logo, wordmark, or name of such accredited testing laboratory must be “displayed: (i) on packaging or documentation provided at the time of sale for such powered bicycle; or (ii) directly on such powered bicycle or the battery of such bicycle.”

Those who violate the law would be warned the first time. Subsequent violations will attract civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violating device. The bill was signed into law on March 20.

Keith Powers, a member of the New York City Council, has proposed two bills related to lithium-ion batteries. One of the bills seeks to mandate businesses to offer workers who use e-bikes for commercial purposes with fire-resistant or fireproof containers for charging batteries.

Safety Guidelines

The FDNY recommends citizens always buy lithium battery devices that are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory like Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

When using batteries, the manufacturer’s charging and storage instructions must be adhered to. Batteries should be kept away from heat sources and anything flammable, and must be maintained at room temperature, it advises.

People should avoid using aftermarket or generic batteries. They should desist from overcharging and avoid leaving the batteries charging overnight. When charging, the battery should be away from the person’s bed, pillow, or couch. If charging e-bikes, FDNY advises people to never leave them unattended.

“Lithium-Ion batteries are known to unexpectedly re-ignite (without warning) minutes, hours, and even days after all visible fire has been put out. Lithium-ion batteries can enter an uncontrollable, self-heating state. This can result in the release of gas, cause fire and possible explosion,” FDNY warns in its recommendations (pdf).

As a safety precaution, FDNY asks people to not block out the primary way in or out of a room or space. Plus, batteries should never be placed in a recycling bin or a trash can. It has been made illegal to do so.