FDNY reveals details on illegal lithium-ion battery manufacturing operation bust

Officials announced a major bust of an illegal lithium-ion battery manufacturing operation in New York City.

News 12 Staff

Feb 8, 2024, 5:45 PM

Updated 309 days ago

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Officials announced a major bust of an illegal lithium-ion battery manufacturing operation in New York City.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh says a scooter business in Queens was building battery packs from individual lithium-ion battery cells and replacing old ones - in violation of the fire code.
Among the items that were recovered, with some even catching fire in the process, were 60 packs, hundreds of lithium-ion cells, 25 e-scooters and electric and gas mopeds. Kavanaugh issued a warning to other businesses doing the same.
Officials say since the enforcement of the lithium-ion battery certification law in September, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has issued 200 violations to businesses for violating the law.
In total last year, lithium-ion batteries caused 268 fires, injured 150 New Yorkers and killed 18 people.