"Under city law, the lithium-Ion batteries that power many e-bikes and other electric mobility devices can't be sold in the five boroughs unless they are certified by UL-Solutions, the gold standard in safe battery policy. But now, the Fire Department is proposing a rule change that would allow the city to confiscate any uncertified batteries in order to "address the fire and explosion hazard posed by uncertified ... batteries" that are still being used years after the sale ban went into effect."
"In 2023, when most batteries purchased in 2020 and 2021 began to reach the end of their usable life, there were 268 known lithium-ion battery fires which caused 150 injuries and 18 deaths. Now in 2025, there have already been 130 fires, 29 injuries, and one death allegedly caused by these batteries. The increase in fires in 2022 and 2023 prompted a wave of reactive legislation and action from the administration."
"The administration has declined to clarify which agency would be tasked with enforcing the new rule, and how that enforcement would be carried out. When asked for comment, FDNY told Streetsblog to reach out to the mayor's press office, which did not respond to repeated requests for comment and explanation."
City proposes a rule allowing confiscation of uncertified lithium-ion e-bike batteries to address ongoing fire and explosion hazards. City law already bans sale of such batteries in the five boroughs unless certified by UL-Solutions. Enforcement responsibility and procedures remain unclear, and the mayor's press office did not respond to inquiries directed by the FDNY. Battery fires surged as older units reached end of life, with 268 fires, 150 injuries, and 18 deaths in 2023, and 130 fires, 29 injuries, and one death in 2025 so far. Prior measures include a point-of-sale ban, an FDNY E-Safety Task Force, and a municipal micromobility action plan; many delivery workers still rely on banned batteries due to limited replacement support.
Read at Streetsblog
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