Concerns about explosions, fires and toxic gas have prompted San Diego officials to begin crafting proposed laws to regulate the storage and disposal of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric cars, scooters, laptops, smartphones and other devices.
The legislation would also impose new limits on where large-scale lithium battery storage facilities can be located.
City leaders praise the increasingly popular batteries for being energy-efficient and helping to fight climate change, but they say new regulations are essential because a rash of recent incidents has raised concerns about public safety. "We're not trying to eliminate them — we're trying to make sure they are safer for consumers and our first responders," said Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who is spearheading efforts to craft a new city law.