E-bike battery fires this year have killed more in NYC than in 2022: FDNY
Lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and similar devices have caused 92 fires, injured 64 individuals, and resulted in nine deaths so far in 2021, according to data from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). This number of fatalities is almost as many as the ten deaths reported in 2022 and 2021 combined. Last month, four people died when a fire broke out in an Upper Manhattan apartment building on May 7, while in April, a house fire in Queens caused by the battery on an e-bike led to the deaths of a 7-year-old and a teenager. In January, a fire also broke out in Queens that resulted in the death of one person and injured 10 others. The FDNY has cautioned individuals not to charge their e-bikes overnight or when they are out and to keep them away from windows and exits.
In 2021, a total of 104 battery-fueled blazes led to four deaths and 79 injuries, while 220 such incidents in 2020 caused six deaths and 142 injuries, according to fire officials. Councilman Robert Holden of Queens has introduced a bill that would ban the use of electric scooters and bikes until safeguards have been implemented to reduce the risk of these devices causing fires. City landlords are now obliged to display an FDNY safety guide by April 30 warning apartment residents about the dangers of e-bike battery fires. These batteries should also have approved certification markings.
FAQs
What types of devices have caused the 92 battery-fueled fires in 2021?
Lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and similar devices have been responsible for the majority of these fires.
How many fatalities have occurred as a result of these battery fires in 2021?
Nine people have lost their lives, which is nearly as many as those lost in the past two years combined.
What is the FDNY advising to reduce the risk of these fires?
The FDNY has issued warnings against charging e-bikes overnight or when the users are out. The devices should also be kept away from windows and exits.
What is being done to address the risk of battery-related fires caused by e-bikes?
Councilman Robert Holden has introduced legislation to ban electric scooters and bikes until safeguards are implemented to curb the risks. City landlords are also obligated to display an FDNY safety guide warning apartment residents about these risks.
FDNY: The number of fatalities caused by E-bike battery fires in NYC this year exceeds those in 2022.
Lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and other similar devices have caused 92 fires, resulting in 64 injuries and 9 fatalities this year alone, according to data from the New York City Fire Department. The current year’s death toll is nearly equal to that of 2021 and 2022 combined. In May, a blaze in an Upper Manhattan apartment building caused the deaths of four people. A fire in April, attributed to a battery on an e-bike, resulted in the death of a seven-year-old and a teenager in Queens. A total of six fatalities were recorded last year whereas in 2021, four persons died, and 79 were injured in 104 lithium-ion battery-fueled blazes in homes, fire officials said. Councilman Robert Holden from Queens has proposed prohibiting electric scooters and bikes until additional safety measures are implemented. Owners are advised not to charge e-bikes overnight or when they are absent, and they should be kept away from windows and exits, according to the FDNY. Approved certification labels should also be displayed on the devices. One 44-story luxury building on West 57th Street in New York City has already restricted the storage of electric micro-mobility devices, including electric bikes and scooters, in its bike rooms, citing safety concerns.