WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), alongside Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), and Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23), passed the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a unanimous vote.
The bipartisan bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish a final consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and other micro mobility devices to protect against the risk of fires caused by such batteries. The bill is being reintroduced at a time when fires from lithium-ion batteries have become widespread in New York City. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reports rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have caused more than 1,000 fires since 2019, resulting in 523 injuries, 39 deaths & damage to over 650 hundreds of structures. In 2024, there were 279 e-bike and e-mobility device battery fires in NYC, a dramatic increase from the 30 that occurred in 2019.
On the bill’s passage in committee, Rep. Torres said:
“For years, it has been clear that unregulated lithium-ion batteries pose a clear and present threat to the public’s safety, and it’s long past time that we do something about it. My district specifically is acutely aware of the unmitigated disaster that urban fires pose and the urgent need for stronger safety standards. Today’s unanimous vote in committee demonstrates the broad bipartisan support for this urgently needed legislation.”
Rep. Clarke said:
“Substandard lithium-ion batteries are an easily avoidable danger to consumers and first responders alike. I am proud to join Congressman Torres in supporting this common-sense legislation to codify safety standards and best practices that will make personal mobility devices like e-bikes and electric scooters more safe for New Yorkers and people across the country.”
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said:
“Creating a federal standard for lithium-ion batteries is crucial for public safety in New York, and nationwide. We are grateful to Rep. Torres for his dogged pursuit of this legislation. We know this standard will save lives, and we look forward to its passage.”
JR Starrett, Director of Government Relations at Grubhub, said:
“Addressing the dangers posed by uncertified lithium-ion batteries is critical to protecting public safety. We applaud Representative Torres and the Committee for their leadership in advancing this important legislation. The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act demonstrates a strong, bipartisan commitment to tackling this urgent safety concern and keeping unsafe products out of our communities. We look forward to seeing this bill continue its way through the legislative process to ensure safer micromobility options nationwide.”
Steven W. Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council, said:
“Lithium-ion batteries, especially those of inferior quality, can be prone to explosion, thermal runaway, and other hazards. As devices powered by these batteries have become more common, so have the risks associated with them. I applaud Rep. Torres for his leadership and the House of Representative Energy and Commerce Committee for passing this bill, which would require lithium-ion batteries powering certain mobility devices to meet quality and safety standards, thereby reducing the fire risk these devices pose.”
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said:
“The popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters is growing by the day but it’s imperative that we enact practical regulations to mitigate the risk of battery fires caused by unscrupulous manufacturers. We cannot drive our way out of the climate crisis and so we need to ensure that alternatives are safe to use, and that is exactly what this bill will help accomplish. NYLCV applauds Congressman Torres for prioritizing the safety of New Yorkers and the health of our planet.”
John Horton, DoorDash’s Head of North America Public Policy, said:
“The best way to prevent e-bike fires is to keep dangerous, uncertified batteries from entering the country in the first place. We applaud Representative Ritchie Torres and the United States House of Representatives for taking this necessary step to move us closer to that goal. DoorDash has been unwavering in our support for these commonsense, bipartisan policies that prevent the flow of these dangerous, often counterfeit products into U.S. markets. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to support efforts to stop unsafe and uncertified lithium-ion batteries from reaching our homes and streets.”
Manuel Moreno, Chair and Chief Elected Officer of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, said:
“This legislation will help protect the safety of millions of people in the nation’s commercial buildings as well as the safety of first responders. We gratefully thank Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and his staff for their leadership, along with the many Members of Congress who have been supportive of this bipartisan legislation, and we now urge Congress to bring up this bill for a full vote.”
Edward Kelly, International Association of Fire Fighters General President, said:
“Lithium-ion battery fires aren’t like most fires we encounter on the job. Not only do they burn hotter and longer than traditional structure fires, but they also release uniquely harsh toxins as they burn, putting the public and firefighters at risk. As more Americans use electric vehicles, we must ensure the necessary safety standards are in place to keep people protected. The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act is an important step toward preventing these fires, protecting our communities, and keeping firefighters safe. The IAFF thanks Rep. Torres for his leadership on this important issue.”
Gabe Knight, Senior Policy Analyst at Consumer Reports, said:
“People keep getting hurt or killed from e-bike and e-scooter battery fires —and the bulk of these tragedies are preventable. Consumer Reports commends the House Energy and Commerce Committee for voting unanimously in favor of this bipartisan, common-sense bill. We thank Congressman Torres for his leadership, and urge every member of Congress to support this critical safety legislation.”
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