New York City moves to ban and seize 'uncertified' e‑bike batteries after spike in fires
FDNY proposes rules to outlaw storage and use of uncertified lithium‑ion batteries; NYPD to enforce confiscations and Sanitation Department to dispose
New York City officials proposed rules this week that would ban the storage and use of “uncertified” lithium‑ion batteries for e‑bikes and other powered mobility devices and empower police to confiscate and remove them following a series of deadly fires.
The rules, drafted by the Fire Department (FDNY), would make it illegal to store an uncertified e‑bike battery anywhere in the city, a move Mayor Eric Adams’ administration framed as a public‑safety response to rising incidents of battery‑related fires. The NYPD would enforce penalties against riders or others found in possession of uncertified batteries, and the Sanitation Department would be responsible for confiscation and disposal under the proposed regime.
A city spokesperson quoted the mayor’s office saying, “Since day one, the Adams administration has made keeping New Yorkers safe our top priority and that includes taking significant steps to crack down on the uncertified e‑bike batteries that have sparked multiple deadly fires.” Officials also said the city has sent letters to delivery companies operating in New York instructing them to ensure workers are provided with certified batteries and appropriate equipment.
The FDNY cited agency data showing a marked increase in fires and fatalities linked to storage batteries for e‑bikes, e‑scooters and other mobility devices. According to that data, there were 13 injuries in 2019 and 23 injuries in 2020 from battery fires, with no deaths recorded in those years. Injuries more than tripled to 79 in 2021, accompanied by four deaths. In 2022, the FDNY reported 147 injuries and six deaths tied to battery fires. In 2023, reported injuries rose to 150 and deaths to 18. The city said there were 99 injuries and six deaths connected to e‑bike battery fires in 2024, and through July of the current year there were 29 injuries and one fatality.
The proposed rules follow a 2023 law approved by the City Council and the mayor that bars distribution, sale or lease of a storage battery unless it has been certified by an accredited testing laboratory as meeting safety standards. The FDNY rulemaking aims to implement and enforce those statutory standards at the point of possession and storage, city officials said.
Under the proposal, a person found with an uncertified battery could face penalties and have the battery seized. Seized batteries would be handled by the Sanitation Department for disposal; officials did not release details on the disposal process or timelines for returning certified devices. The city did not specify the exact penalties in public summaries of the draft rules, which will be subject to revision following public comment.
The FDNY will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on Oct. 1. After the hearing, the agency may revise the draft regulations before formally adopting them. The agency’s materials indicate the measures are aimed at reducing residential and commercial structure fires linked to improperly manufactured or modified batteries.
Enforcement plans also target commercial operators: city notices to delivery firms require verification that workers use certified batteries and safe charging practices. The city did not release figures on compliance among delivery companies or on the number of uncertified batteries already seized in prior enforcement actions.
The Oct. 1 hearing will provide an opportunity for industry representatives, safety advocates and members of the public to comment on the proposed rules and on how the city should balance public safety with the needs of delivery workers and other e‑bike users.