Global Courant 2023-04-16 14:00:32
Electric bicycles, which environmentalists and Democratic legislators have touted for their carbon-free output, are facing growing criticism due to the increasing number of tragic incidents involving their batteries.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), so-called e-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries that are susceptible to fire or explosion. And as e-bikes continue to grow in popularity — the global e-bike industry is expected to grow nearly 200% to an estimated $118.7 billion by 2030, according to Allied Market Research — more cities across the country are facing with a rapidly increasing number of bicycles. battery lights up.
“Most of the lithium-ion battery fires facing fire departments across the country involve these micromobility devices,” Matthew Paiss, a technical advisor in the Battery Materials & Systems group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, told the U.S.A. last year. NFPA Journal.
“With something like a fire in an electric vehicle, you might be able to leave it burning on the side of the road,” he added. “With these, however, they can be in houses and high-rise buildings, so the fire department has to intervene. It’s a problem we need to address.”
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Several e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries are scattered in the street as New York City firefighters battle a nearby blaze. (FDNY)
While most cities don’t officially keep records of e-bike fires and battery fire-related injuries, New York City officials recently shared such information as part of a campaign to educate residents about the dangers of the devices.
According to the New York Fire Department (FDNY), e-bikes were responsible for an estimated 220 fires by 2022, an increase of more than 100% year over year, and six deaths. This year has already seen 59 fires, more than three dozen injuries and five deaths in New York City from e-bike battery fires.
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“These are incredibly dangerous devices if they are not regulated or used improperly,” New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at a public safety check in February. “They show a tremendous amount of fire when they catch fire — they often depict an immediate inability to leave someone’s room, someone’s apartment or someone’s house.”
“We are going to approach this from every angle of enforcement, but also want to do community outreach and will work with every stakeholder in every community,” she continued.
The most recent example of a catastrophic e-bike battery fire killed two children in Queens, New York, on Monday. FDNY department chief John Hodgens said that while firefighters were quick to get to the scene, the violent nature of lithium-ion battery fires makes them more difficult to suppress.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has made tackling e-bike fires a priority of his administration. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
In another example, an e-bike fire in a Manhattan high-rise late last year injured at least 38 people, The New York Times reported at the time. Another fire, in January, was caused by an e-bike at a New York City daycare center, seriously injuring one child and injuring two others.
As part of the city’s efforts to combat the increasing number of incidents, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams signed five bills in March to regulate the types of lithium-ion batteries sold in the city.
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“Today we are increasing the safety of all our e-bike and e-scooter users,” said Adams.
Other cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Miami, have also experienced major e-bike battery fires.
And the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sent a letter in December to more than 2,000 manufacturers and importers of e-bikes and e-scooters, urging them to ensure their products meet voluntary safety standards, threatened legal action. The federal agency said it had received reports of fires and deaths from the product.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said last month that e-bikes are a “phenomenal way to get around our communities.” (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“As you may know, in recent years there has been an increase in fires and other thermal events involving micromobility products, including e-scooters, self-balancing scooters (often referred to as hoverboards), e-bikes and e-unicycles,” CPSC wrote. Office of Compliance and Field Operations Director Robert Kaye.
“I urge you to immediately review your product line and ensure that all micromobility devices you manufacture, import, distribute or sell in the United States comply with relevant UL standards. Failure to do so will expose American consumers to risk of serious damage and may lead to enforcement action.”
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The warnings about e-bike safety come as Democratic lawmakers continue to push the product as a key part of their climate agenda and efforts to decarbonise the US economy.
Last month, Representatives Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., introduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment Act that would give Americans a credit of up to $1,500 on e-bike purchases. D-Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“By encouraging Americans to own and use e-bikes, we are giving them the opportunity to help improve the quality of life in our communities and address the climate crisis in our country,” said Panetta.
“Electric bikes are a phenomenal way to get around our communities, combining the beauty of the outdoors with the convenience and benefits of sustainable transportation,” added Schiff.
Thomas Catenacci is a political writer for Fox News Digital.
