Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are presenting an unprecedented challenge for New York City firefighters who are battling an increasing number of these blazes that quickly get out of control and are stubbornly hard to extinguish.
In large part, the technology that is used to manufacture the type of rechargeable battery commonly used in electric bikes and electric scooters makes the batteries dangerous to handle when they catch on fire.
“We are in a crisis mode right now when it comes to the batteries,” City Councilman Keith Powers said at a Committee on Fire and Emergency Management hearing last month.
Lithium-ion batteries caused 220 fires in the five boroughs last year, up from 44 in 2020, according to the FDNY. These fires resulted in 147 injuries and six deaths in 2022, 32 injuries and two deaths more than the previous three years combined.