Firefighters target e-bike shops in crackdown on battery hazards

The last

Fire and construction officials in New York City closed an e-bike shop in Manhattan this week after finding more than 100 lithium-ion batteries, part of a crackdown on unsafe battery conditions after a recent fire at an e-bike shop left four cost people their lives.

The building at 91 Canal Street, which includes residential apartments above the e-bike shop, was also evacuated after officials found numerous safety and construction violations, including damaged batteries and overloaded power strips.

Several batteries caught fire when removed.

“This location was essentially a ticking time bomb,” Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at a news conference Thursday.

Since last week’s deadly fire, firefighters have been targeting hazardous conditions of lithium batteries in e-bike stores, including in Chinatown.

Since then, the department’s fire prevention unit and the local fire department have conducted nearly 180 checks at e-bikes and e-bike repair shops, resulting in dozens of violations and fines.

“We are not kidding, as you can see here,” said Commissioner Kavanagh. “We will continue to inspect and re-inspect sites to ensure batteries are used safely.”

Why it matters

Lithium-ion batteries have become a leading cause of deadly fires in New York City over the past three years as e-mobility devices powered by the highly flammable batteries have spread rapidly. The fast-moving fires are particularly dangerous because they can explode with little or no warning.

There have been 113 lithium battery fires in the city so far this year, killing 13 people and injuring 71 others.

As of 2021, 23 people have died in lithium battery fires in New York.

Background

New York City has become the epicenter of lithium battery fires, in part because of its density and lack of space, forcing many e-bike users to store and charge the batteries in their apartments. Most lithium battery fires have started in residential buildings.

Still, some of the more dangerous conditions have been found at e-bike shops, including some that have used illegal battery charging stations and sold refurbished batteries.

What’s next

Starting in September, New York will become the first city in the country to ban the sale of e-bikes and lithium batteries that do not meet recognized safety standards.

Commissioner Kavanagh vowed to continue the crackdown on dangerous battery conditions at e-bike shops and other businesses on Thursday.

“If you run a business that improperly charges, stores or tampers with lithium-ion batteries in any way, we will find you,” she said.

She also urged people to report unsafe battery conditions to the city’s 311 hotline, promising a response within 12 hours.