In 2023, as the number of deaths from e-mobility fires in New York City reached an annual peak of 18, the city enacted a law requiring ULSE standards for any e-mobility device (such as e-bikes and e-scooters) sold, leased, or distributed in NYC, to help reduce the risk of fire. In 2025, just two years after the law took effect, the number of annual deaths fell to one, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.
Specifically, the law requires e-mobility devices to be tested and certified to UL 2849, the Standard for Electrical Systems for e-Bikes; UL 2272, the Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices; and UL 2271, the Standard for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle Applications.
How NYC is Making E-mobility Safer With ULSE Standards
In addition to strict enforcement, these standards also play a key role in incentives that have helped NYC delivery workers and commuters adapt to the new law. A trade-in program in 2025 allowed eligible food delivery workers to exchange an uncertified e-bike or e-scooter for new, certified e-bike with a spare, certified battery. And a 2024 pilot program for public battery swapping and charging stations also showed strong participation, allowing the program to move forward with 25 additional locations, beginning in 2027.
City officials also attribute the sharp decline in deaths to public education efforts. Under the former mayor’s Charge Safe, Ride Safe action plan, FDNY and other city agencies and community organizations partnered to lead safety training programs for delivery workers, block/tenant associations, social workers, and NYC families and youth on best practices for charging, maintenance, and storage, in order to help avoid the risk of fire from the rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries powering e-bikes and e-scooters.
The one death in 2025 underscores the importance of safe charging and storage practices. The victim, a 76-year-old woman, was trapped in the bathroom of a pizzeria in Queens when an e-mobility device just outside the bathroom caught fire.
根据一项 ULSE e-mobility report此外，近一半在家充电的电动自行车骑行者（49%）承认堵塞了家中的消防通道，这也是导致多起死亡事件的原因之一。此外，还有相当比例的骑行者报告了不安全行为，如在电动自行车或电动滑板车充满电后仍将其插上（53%）、通宵充电（41%）或在离家时让其在无人看管的情况下充电（26%）。
Advancing E-mobility Safety Beyond the Five Boroughs
UL Standards & Engagement has developed resources for cities and states looking to follow NYC’s example. Download our toolkit to support safe, sustainable, e-mobility transportation.
There is also opportunity for greater safety across the U.S. The bipartisan 制定锂离子电池消费者标准法 (S.389 H.R.973), would mandate consumer safety standards for e-mobility devices. If passed, the same ULSE standards driving safety in NYC would apply nationwide. ULSE strongly encourages the immediate vote and passage of this bipartisan bill in the Senate, to help keep uncertified batteries off the market and out of homes.
