New Bill Targeting Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety

By Y.M. Lowy

A group of U.S. Senators and Congress members, including Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer, and others, have reintroduced a bill called the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act. This bill aims to make rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power devices like e-bikes and e-scooters, safer by setting clear safety rules to prevent fires, as stated by Gilibrand in a statement to BoroPark24.

In recent years, these batteries have caused a growing number of dangerous fires, especially in New York City, where they’ve been responsible for over 850 fires since 2021. These fires have led to injuries, deaths, and property damage. The new bill would require the government to create safety standards for how these batteries are made and used, to stop them from exploding or catching fire.

The bill has support from both Democrats and Republicans, showing that this is a serious issue that both sides of the political spectrum agree needs to be addressed.