As of September 30, there have been three reported deaths this year from lithium-battery fires, a decrease from 14 deaths during the same period last year.
E-bike rider Christian Acajabon, in the midst of his food deliveries, made a stop at an outdoor plaza in Manhattan’s East Village to swap out his spent lithium-ion battery for a fresh one. This routine practice is part of New York City’s strategy to prevent fires caused by these batteries, which power the increasing number of e-bikes and e-scooters on city streets. These batteries have been identified as potential fire hazards, prompting the city to take various measures to enhance safety.
One of the initiatives implemented by the city is the installation of fire-resistant cabinets where e-bike riders can exchange their batteries safely. Additionally, the city has prohibited the sale of e-mobility devices that lack safety certification, stepped up inspections of bike shops, and launched a multilingual public education campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with lithium batteries.
These efforts seem to be yielding positive results, as the rate of injuries and deaths caused by lithium battery fires has decreased. While the number of lithium battery fires remains consistent with previous years, the incidents resulting in injuries and fatalities have reduced significantly. As of September 30, there have been three deaths and 84 injuries related to lithium battery fires this year, compared to 14 deaths and 114 injuries during the same period in 2023.
A major contributing factor to this decline is the decrease in lithium battery fires occurring indoors, such as in residential buildings and commercial establishments. When these batteries malfunction or overheat, they can trigger rapid and explosive fires that pose a serious threat to occupants by blocking exits and causing entrapment.
By implementing these safety measures and raising awareness about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, New York City is taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks associated with e-mobility devices. The combination of regulations, inspections, and public education efforts is helping to reduce the incidence of lithium battery fires and their associated injuries and fatalities.
Source: The NY Times
