The Toll of E-Mobility Fires and the Cost of Inaction 

By Jeff Marootian, President and Chief Executive Officer, UL Standards & Engagement

E-mobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters, have transformed urban transportation leading to rapid market growth.  But the swift rise of these devices has come with dangerous consequences: deadly battery fires. These fires are not just statistics — they represent lives lost, families displaced, and communities scarred.  

In New York City alone, e-mobility battery fires have contributed to significant losses. To better understand the impact of these fires, UL Standards & Engagement worked with Oxford Economics to determine the impact of these events. Between 2019 and 2023, the city saw 465 incidents, resulting in fatalities, serious injuries, and significant property damage. Oxford Economics estimates the economic toll of these fires to be as high as $518.6 million. This breaks down to $257.9 million in fatalities, $220.7 million in injuries, and $40 million in structural damages.  

These staggering numbers that still fail to capture the devastation these fires cause.  Beyond the unfathomable sense of loss, this calculation does not include the families displaced from their homes, including neighbors that may have been left without a place to sleep due to a fire that may have started in an apartment across the hall. 

A Dangerous Lack of Awareness Doesn’t Need to Lead to Bans  

Those displaced neighbors may not have had any knowledge of the fire risk in their building, but it’s entirely possible that the owner of the e-mobility device didn’t either. More than half of e-bike owners (53%) and e-scooter owners (54%) are unaware that their devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries, according to a UL Standards & Engagement survey. Not knowing the power source creates an awareness gap that can contribute to an increased risk of thermal runaway, an uncontrollable state of heat that can result in fire or explosion if the battery is damaged, defective, counterfeit, or substandard. 

Fear over e-mobility battery fires has resulted in restrictions or even bans of these devices. The temptation to ban e-mobility devices in the face of such tragedy is understandable, but it would be shortsighted.  E-bikes and e-scooters are not only recreational. The majority of e-bike and e-scooter owners purchased them for work-related purposes and, as is the case for many delivery gig workers, may depend on them for their livelihoods. E-mobility options also reduce traffic congestion by replacing cars on the road. These devices also contribute to the tourism economy, offering leisure travelers a way to explore new places. 

Reducing access is not the answer. We can make e-bikes and e-scooters safer, protecting availability for consumers who want and need them. Incorporating standards into the design of e-mobility devices and the batteries that power them can significantly reduce the risk. 

NYC Action Is a Model for Other Areas 

Battery fires are not a New York City problem. They are happening everywhere. Incorporating safety standards into the batteries and devices themselves will meaningfully reduce the number of e-mobility battery fires, protect communities, and preserve consumer access to e-bikes and e-scooters.  

We don't have to choose between safety and access. In response to the alarming rise in e-mobility fires, New York City passed Local Law 39 in 2023. This law mandates compliance with three crucial ULSE safety standards: UL 2849 for e-bikes; UL 2272 for personal e-mobility devices; and UL 2271 for lithium-ion batteries.  

The impact of this law is already being seen. According to The New York Times, while lithium-ion battery fires continue to occur, the rate of fatalities and injuries has reduced dramatically. As of September 2023, there were three deaths and 84 injuries from these fires — down from 14 deaths and 114 injuries during the same period in 2022. Notably, fewer fires are occurring inside buildings, where they pose greater danger.  

New York City’s approach is showing early signs of success and should be a model for other governments. The benefits of e-mobility are clear, and so are the dangers when safety isn’t prioritized. Enacting similar measures will reduce the risks while still allowing riders to enjoy the advantages these devices bring. 

Waiting is a Risk When the Cost of Inaction is This High 

At ULSE, we’ve been actively working with local, state, and federal leaders to address this issue. With a federal bill in the works, some cities and states may be waiting to see if Congress acts first. We believe urgency is needed. Our ask of Congress is simple: pass the bipartisan Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (S. 389 and H.R. 973). The bill was voted unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee last week with the support of Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The bill is identical in language to the House version, creating an opportunity for both chambers to come together on a win for American consumers.  

The time to act is now. The cost of inaction is simply too great. Every day we delay is another day these preventable tragedies continue. We don’t have to sacrifice progress for safety — rather, accounting for safety will allow progress to thrive. With strong safety standards incorporated into smart policy, we have the opportunity to make e-mobility safer and available for all.