Res. No. 718
Resolution calling on Congress to pass and the President to sign the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, which would promulgate consumer product safety standards with respect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices.
By Council Members Powers, Avilés, Feliz, Velázquez, Restler, Yeger, Hanif, Brewer, Riley and Won
Whereas, A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable device that is commonly used in electronics and mobility devices, such as cellular phones, scooters and e-bikes; and
Whereas, A lithium-ion battery, when faulty or overheated, can cause fires that are extremely dangerous because they are self-sustaining and are difficult to contain and extinguish; and
Whereas, The construction of these batteries contain a pressurized electrolyte fluid that makes them dangerous in a range of circumstances, which may compromise the battery’s integrity and cause the battery to explode or ignite; and
Whereas, These circumstances include but are not limited to: (i) impact damage to the battery; (ii) a manufacturing flaw; (iii) aging and deterioration of the battery components; (iv) extreme temperatures; and (v) overcharging; and
Whereas, Additionally, overcharging lithium-ion may produce an exothermic decomposition of the battery cell, which may lead to rupturing and thermal explosion and is incredibly challenging for firefighters to extinguish; and
Whereas, During 2022, there were 220 reported lithium-ion battery related fires in the City resulting in 146 injuries and 6 deaths; and
Whereas, New York City continues to experience a growing number of e-bike fires, both residential and commercial, that not only destroy property but result in fatalities; and
Whereas, On April 10, 2023, two young people, a 7-year-old boy and his 19 year-old sister, were killed in a residential fire caused by an e-bike being charged near the front door of an apartment building in Astoria, Queens; and
Whereas, In 2023, the City Council passed local laws to curb these fires and better protect and educate the public on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, including: (i) establishing an informational campaign to educate the public on fire risks posed by power mobility devices; (ii) prohibiting the sale, lease, or rental of powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes and electric scooters, and storage batteries for these devices, which fail to meet recognized safety standards; and (iii) prohibiting the assembly or reconditioning of a lithium-ion battery using cells removed from used storage batteries and the sale of a lithium-ion battery that uses cells removed from used storage batteries; and
Whereas, H.R. 1797, introduced by United States Representative Richie Torres, and S.1008 introduced by United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, which would require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) to promulgate a consumer product safety standard with respect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, and for other purposes; and
Whereas, H.R. 1797/S. 1008, also known as the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, would require the CPSC to establish a final consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in personal mobility devices, such as electric scooters and e-bikes; and
Whereas, The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act would help protect the public against the risk of fires caused by such batteries throughout the country; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Congress to pass and the President to sign the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, which would promulgate consumer product safety standards with respect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices.
WJH
LS 13315
7/6/23