Lithium-ion battery fires inspire set of new state laws

The growing popularity of e-bikes has raised concerns about the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries. New York State is implementing new guidelines to promote safer use of the equipment.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 1.1 million e-bikes were sold in the United States in 2022, four times more than in 2019. Added to these many sales are the fires caused by their batteries, some of which have been fatal.

“These new laws will hold reckless battery manufacturers accountable, raise awareness about how to handle e-bikes, and also protect our first responders,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday after signing eight bills into law.

The legislation establishes certain standards and specifications that lithium-ion battery manufacturers must meet. Violations will result in a $500 fine and a $1,000 fine for any subsequent violations. The State Department will develop and maintain resources, information and protocols, and first responders will receive training on how to handle an incident involving these batteries.

Retailers must also provide customers with an operating manual for any type of equipment powered by a lithium-ion battery.

“We’ve seen a big increase in the last few years,” said Ray Posner, assistant manager at Steiner’s Sports in Valatie. “People are turning to e-bikes for all kinds of reasons.”

Customers at Posner’s store already seem to be aware of the risks posed by batteries.

“People want to know more about safety, for sure,” Posner said. “We talk to them about certification standards and proper charging protocol.”

This includes not charging in extreme temperatures and in a dry place, not leaving your batteries charging unattended for long periods of time, and disconnecting the batteries once charging is complete.

“We ask customers, if they come in with a brand that we don’t know or trust, to remove the battery,” Posner explained.

Posner said this is one of the precautions already being taken in the shop to ensure safety while the team maintains the e-bikes, and believes these new guidelines will not hamper operations.

“I hope this will encourage people to have more confidence in e-bikes and come into our store knowing that we have products that are safe for them to ride,” Posner said.

The legislation also includes a few additional measures: Law enforcement must report any injuries or deaths involving an e-bike or e-scooter crash to the state Department of Motor Vehicles; mopeds must be registered by dealers at the point of sale; and all cords used to charge lithium-ion batteries must be labeled informing the user to unplug them when not in use.