In cities around the world, e-bikes and e-scooters whiz by in increasing numbers, a testament to our desire for clean, efficient and accessible transportation. Yet, as we embrace this shift, powered by the remarkable capabilities of lithium-ion batteries, we face a growing challenge — ensuring the safety of the millions who rely on these devices every day.
With the lithium-ion battery market exceeding $48 billion in 2022 and continuing its ascent, there’s no denying their impact on our daily lives. These batteries power much of what has become indispensable to us — from smartphones to laptops and now to the vehicles that promise a greener, more sustainable urban commute. But with widespread use comes the need for increased vigilance.
New York City has seen a spate of tragic fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters. To date, micro-mobility device fires have caused 101 injuries and 14 deaths in the city in 2023. Recently, FDNY Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said that lithium-ion batteries are now a top cause of fatal fires in New York. And New York is not alone.
Last year, a fire at an e-scooter showroom in the Indian city of Secunderabad killed 16 people, the deadliest such blaze ever in India. In London, the city’s Fire Brigade has responded to fires caused by e-bike batteries an average of once every two days in 2023 – a 60% increase compared to the same period last year.
As with any fire involving lithium-ion batteries, e-bike and e-scooter fires are fuelled by a process known as thermal runaway, and are notoriously difficult to extinguish. These devices are often charged in close quarters, in multi-unit dwellings, placing at risk a disproportionate number of individuals who have come to rely on them for their livelihoods, including many in lower-income brackets. The severity of these battery fires is compounded by the fact that some can rekindle days after being extinguished. Such incidents reveal a stark reality: Our preparedness and regulatory measures have not kept pace with the adoption of these technologies.
At NFPA, we have seen first-hand that innovations can sometimes present fire and life safety challenges. As with other promising technological advances, we can address risks posed by e-mobility device fires by employing elements of the Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem™ to protect the public and emergency responders.
This starts with new regulatory efforts and stringent enforcement of current codes and standards. New York City’s recent mandate requiring batteries to meet accredited testing lab standards is a step in the right direction. But it’s not enough to enact these regulations; we must also enforce them diligently. There is also a role for businesses that sell these devices and regulatory agencies to eliminate the importation and selling of dangerous, untested batteries and devices.
Training and equipping our first responders are another crucial front. Firefighters must be prepared to confront lithium-ion battery fires safely and effectively. This year’s Safety Stand Down campaign, which worked to increase first responders’ awareness and operational knowledge of lithium-ion battery-related hazards, is a great example of such efforts.
Public education is equally vital. We must ensure that every consumer understands the potential risks of these batteries and the importance of safely using devices and chargers that are tested and listed by recognized laboratories. A forum hosted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in July 2023 on the safety of lithium-ion batteries in e-mobility brought this issue into the spotlight, uniting stakeholders to advocate for better safety standards and consumer education.
Still, the exponential growth and use of lithium-ion batteries present evolving, ongoing challenges. As we continue to learn more about how lithium-ion batteries behave in fire scenarios, we must be nimble, incorporating new research into codes, standards and training programmes swiftly. Governments at all levels must act decisively to protect the public, drawing on the latest research to shape regulations that effectively mitigate these risks.
Overall, the benefits of lithium-ion batteries and e-mobility are clear: These devices can be essential to a more sustainable future. But we must tread carefully, ensuring that this revolution in personal transportation doesn’t come at an unacceptable price to public safety. Together, through regulation, the use of codes and standards, training and education, we can navigate this new terrain safely, making sure that the technology that moves us forward is paired with systems and strategies to minimize its threats.
For more information, go to www.nfpa.org/lithiumionsafety
