E-Battery Deaths Rise Sharply in New York City
Lithium-ion battery fire investigations have climbed 822% since 2020, prompting a new FDNY safety campaign and inspections of bike shops.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Injuries and deaths from e-batteries in New York City rose sharply in 2026, with eight people killed in battery-related fires so far this year. The FDNY has launched a million-dollar safety campaign and a task force to inspect bike shops selling unsafe devices.
Why it matters
E-bike and scooter use grew in the city starting in 2020, and e-batteries can explode when they short circuit, are uncertified, punctured, overcharged, or stored in extreme temperatures. Residents across New York City face ongoing fire risk from these devices.
Investigations of lithium-ion fires rose 822% since 2020, with 619 people injured and 44 killed over six years. Enforcement from August and September 2026 produced 136 violations and 77 summonses, and the full scope of 2026 incidents has not been reported.
The players
Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
The FDNY is the largest municipal fire department in the United States, responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, and fire prevention across New York City.
The details
Between August and September 2026, the FDNY inspected more than 200 shops across all five boroughs and issued 136 violations and 77 summonses to businesses selling illegal or unsafe devices. The city passed laws in summer 2023 prohibiting the purchase or sale of uncertified batteries, and the agency has launched a million-dollar safety campaign alongside a task force to inspect bike shops.
Timeline
2020: E-bike and scooter use increased in the city during the COVID pandemic.
Summer 2023: New York City passed laws banning the purchase or sale of uncertified batteries.
2024 and 2025: E-battery injury and death numbers declined.
2026: E-battery injuries and deaths rose sharply, with eight battery-related fire deaths so far.
August-September 2026: More than 200 shops were inspected and cited.
Roadmap
The 2026 spike follows New York City's summer 2023 laws banning uncertified e-battery sales, which were followed by a decline in injuries and deaths in 2024 and 2025. The reversal shows the limits of sales restrictions as e-bike and scooter use continues to expand across the city.
Riders who buy e-bikes or scooters in New York City now face enforcement against uncertified batteries, and bike shops may be inspected or cited. Storing and charging batteries carefully, avoiding extreme temperatures, and using only certified devices can reduce the risk of fire.
The takeaway
Certified batteries and careful charging practices matter as e-mobility use grows. Checking that a battery carries proper certification before purchase is one of the most direct steps a rider can take.
Further reading
For broader context on battery safety rules, explore the Electric Vehicles section.
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Do you think the city is doing enough to keep e-bike batteries safe?
