New York City has seen a dramatic increase in fires linked to lithium-ion batteries used in ebikes and scooters, with more than 400 incidents, 83 injuries, and 12 deaths reported this year. This marks a significant rise from 2025, when the New York fire department (FDNY) recorded 292 fires, 51 injuries, and one death.
The city has been criticised for failing to build infrastructure that could mitigate the threat. Experts suggest that outdoor charging stations would prevent residents from charging batteries in their apartments, where defective or overheated batteries pose a greater risk.
A 2024 pilot program by the New York City department of transportation offered battery-swapping cabinets, leading to a 35% reduction in home charging among participants. Following this success, the city announced plans for 25 charging sites by 2027, later revised to 2028. Additionally, a $25m federal grant for 173 charging stations at public housing developments, announced in 2023, has not yet resulted in any construction, with the federal government reportedly not having provided the funds.
City council speaker Julie Menin stated that the presence of lithium-ion batteries at fire scenes is a serious concern and called for more to be done to encourage and mandate safe storage practices. London and Toronto have also experienced a recent increase in lithium-ion battery fires.