A new federal bill is one step closer to preventing fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries Act on Wednesday. The legislation will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish some standard safety rules for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, electric scooters and electric skateboards.
FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh says that with the continued enforcement and public education on the dangers of e-bike batteries, this bill could save lives.
"Most technology that we buy does not just spontaneously combust in our homes... but right now people are making things that do and they're making them in a way that causes them to do that... this sets the standard that would not allow that anymore," said Kavanagh.
Fire officials say three people died in November 2023 after a three-story building on Albany Avenue went up in flames. Two charred electric bikes were pulled from the home. It's fatal fires similar across the city that have prompted lawmakers to push for the batteries to be regulated.
In total, FDNY officials reported 268 fires caused by the batteries across the city in 2023 and 18 people died. So far in 2024, 77 battery fires have been reported.
The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote.
