Electrical bicycles, which environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers have touted for his or her zero-carbon output, are going through elevated criticism over the rising variety of tragic incidents involving their batteries.
In line with the Nationwide Hearth Safety Affiliation (NFPA), so-called e-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries that are susceptible to fires or explosions. And as e-bikes proceed to turn out to be extra well-liked — the worldwide e-bike business is anticipated to develop almost 200% to an estimated worth of $118.7 billion by 2030, based on Allied Market Analysis — extra cities nationwide are going through rapidly-increasing numbers of battery fires.
“The vast majority of lithium-ion battery fires that fireside departments throughout the nation are coping with contain these micromobility units,” Matthew Paiss, a technical advisor within the Battery Supplies & Techniques group of the Pacific Northwest Nationwide Laboratory, informed the NFPA Journal final yr.
“With one thing like an electrical automobile hearth, you could possibly let it burn on the aspect of the highway,” he added. “With these, although, they could be in properties and high-rises, so hearth departments have to have interaction. It’s an issue we have to tackle.”
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A number of e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries are seen strewn on the road as New York Metropolis firefighters battle a close-by hearth. (FDNY)
Whereas most cities do not formally monitor e-bike hearth and battery fire-related harm knowledge, New York Metropolis officers have just lately shared such info as a part of a marketing campaign to tell residents in regards to the risks posed by the units.
In 2022, e-bikes had been liable for an estimated 220 fires, up greater than 100% year-over-year, and 6 deaths, based on the New York Hearth Division (FDNY). Already this yr, there have been 59 fires, greater than three dozen accidents and 5 deaths in New York Metropolis because of e-bike battery fires.
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“These are extremely harmful units if they’re unregulated or used improperly,” New York Metropolis Hearth Commissioner Laura Kavanagh mentioned throughout a public security in February. “They present an infinite quantity of fireside after they catch hearth — they typically current a right away incapability to exit one’s room or one’s house or one’s residence.”
“We’ll come at this from each angle of enforcement, but in addition wish to do group outreach and will probably be in each group working with each stakeholder,” she continued.
In the newest instance of a catastrophic hearth from an e-bike battery, two youngsters had been killed Monday in Queens, New York. FDNY Chief of Division John Hodgens mentioned that, whereas firefighters arrived to the scene shortly, the violent nature of lithium-ion battery-triggered fires makes it more durable to quell.
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams has made addressing e-bike fires a precedence of his administration. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket by way of Getty Photos)
In one other instance, an e-bike hearth in a Manhattan high-rise constructing late final yr injured at the least 38 folks, The New York Occasions reported on the time. One other hearth, in January, was triggered by an e-bike at a New York Metropolis daycare middle, critically injuring one baby and harming two others.
As a part of town’s efforts to fight the growing variety of incidents, in March, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams signed 5 payments to manage the sorts of lithium-ion batteries offered within the metropolis.
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“Right now, we’re supercharging security for all of our e-bikes and e-scooter customers,” Adams mentioned.
Different cities together with Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Miami have additionally seen main fires from e-bike batteries.
And the U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee issued a letter in December to greater than 2,000 e-bike and e-scooter producers and importers, urging them to make sure their merchandise adjust to voluntary security requirements, threatening authorized motion. The federal company mentioned it had obtained studies of fires and deaths from the product.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., mentioned final month that e-bikes are a “phenomenal strategy to traverse our communities.” (Drew Angerer/Getty Photos)
“As you might remember, in recent times there was an increase in fires and different thermal occasions involving micromobility merchandise—together with e-scooters, self-balancing scooters (sometimes called hoverboards), e-bicycles, and e-unicycles,” CPSC Workplace of Compliance and Subject Operations Director Robert Kaye wrote.
“I urge you to assessment your product line instantly and be certain that all micromobility units that you just manufacture, import, distribute, or promote in the US adjust to the related UL requirements. Failure to take action places U.S. customers susceptible to critical hurt and should lead to enforcement motion.”
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The warnings about e-bike security come as Democratic lawmakers proceed to push the product as a key a part of their local weather agenda and energy to decarbonize the U.S. economic system.
Final month, Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., launched the Electrical Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Atmosphere Act which would offer People with an as much as $1,500 credit score on e-bike purchases. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, launched companion laws within the Senate.
“By incentivizing People to personal and use e-bikes, we’re permitting them the possibility to assist enhance the standard of life in our communities and deal with the local weather disaster in our nation,” Panetta mentioned.
“Electrical bikes are an outstanding strategy to traverse our communities, combining the fantastic thing about the outside with the convenience and advantages of sustainable transportation,” added Schiff.
