The market for e-mobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters has experienced massive growth as it meets needs for commuters, gig workers, and leisure seekers alike. That market growth, however, has brought with it an increase in e-mobility battery fires that have resulted in deaths and injuries and left people without homes to return to.
In New York City alone, e-mobility battery fires have contributed to an estimated $518.6 million in losses. This devastation prompted the city to take action, passing a law that requires all e-mobility devices, batteries, and related equipment sold or leased in the city to be certified to meet safety standards published by UL Standards & Engagement. Since taking effect, the rate of death and injuries from e-bike fires has started to slow.
These fires are not, however, restricted by geography and have happened across the country. Despite several high-profile fires, a UL Standards & Engagement survey found that 82% of consumers say they know little or nothing at all about lithium-ion batteries. Not knowing about the power source also means not knowing about its risks, which include thermal runaway — an uncontrollable, self-heating state that can lead to smoke, fire, toxic off-gassing, or explosion.
Riders Believe They Are Already Protected by Federal Safety Rules
ULSE has been surveying e-bike and e-scooter owners for more than a year now, and a major recurring theme is a lack of awareness about the risks — a lack of awareness that can result in tragedy. Our most recent survey of e-mobility owners revealed what could be the most dangerous assumption yet: nearly two-thirds (63%) of e-bike and e-scooter owners believe that there are already federal safety regulations protecting them.
Unfortunately, that majority is wrong. Currently, there are not any federal protections in place to guard against e-mobility battery fires. But that could — and must — change soon.
The bipartisan Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (S.389 H.R.973), would mandate consumer safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in e-mobility devices. It has already overwhelmingly passed the House by a wide bipartisan majority. The Senate now has its identical bill — that passed unanimously out of the Commerce Committee — to consider.
If passed, the three existing UL standards as final consumer product safety standards: UL 2849, the standard for e-bikes; UL 2272, the standard for personal e-mobility devices; and UL 2271, the standard for lithium-ion batteries in e-mobility devices.
This legislation focuses on the root of the problem: keeping uncertified batteries off the market and out of homes — reducing the fire risk and preserving consumer access. By making e-mobility devices safer, consumers keep access to products that they want and, in many cases, need. Nearly half (48%) of e-mobility owners purchased their devices for work purposes.
Support for Federal Protections Across Political Spectrum
There is tremendous support for federal safety protections and standards. The vast majority (82%) of consumers support federally mandated e-mobility battery standards. Even more consumers (87%) support safety standards for e-mobility batteries.
Like the legislation before the Senate, support for e-mobility protections is bipartisan. More than 8 in 10 (81%) of Republicans surveyed support federal e-mobility battery requirements, along with 85% of Democrats. A near-identical 87% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats support safety standards for e-mobility batteries.
False Sense of Safety Leads to Dangerous Behavior
The guise of protection may mean that consumers are less concerned and even less inclined to learn about or follow safe practices with their devices. How riders are charging their devices raises the risk considerably, perhaps most dangerously leaving themselves no escape from fire: half (50%) of e-mobility owners charge their devices in a location that blocks their exit, like in the doorway or hallway.
When e-mobility owners purchase additional or replacement batteries, it opens a new concern in buying products that may not be certified or designed for their devices. Replacement batteries are most commonly purchased online (42%), yet only 27% purchased directly from the original manufacturer.
The Senate has an opportunity to protect millions of Americans by passing the Loi sur l'établissement de normes de consommation pour les piles au lithium-ion. Our latest survey makes it clear that consumers need protection, even if they don’t know it — especially because they don’t know it. The legislation will limit the uncertified batteries flooding the marketplace without limiting access. It’s a smart, bipartisan step forward for consumer safety and we encourage its immediate vote and passage in the Senate.
Jeff Marootian is president and CEO at UL Standards & Engagement, a safety advocacy organization.