This year, more than 100 fires caused by explosions of lithium-ion batteries have been recorded. In total, these fires caused the death of 13 people. In an attempt to stem the problem, New York City has taken some steps.
The city that never sleeps is known for its particularly heavy traffic. Motorists are neck and neck with yellow taxis, while cyclists try to make their way through the New York jungle.
As such, travel by bicycle has long been recommended to improve the fluidity of travel within the city. But that was without counting on the arrival of electric bikes on the American market. From now on, more than 65,000 electric bicycles have been put into circulation in New York and the health crisis has also directly contributed to this expansion, as New Yorkers have become accustomed to having meals delivered to their homes.
The proliferation of e-bikes might be seen as a boon to traffic and air quality, but they are causing more and more problems in New York City. Indeed, this year, more than 100 fires caused by explosions of lithium-ion batteries have been recorded in New York. A total of 13 people lost their lives in this type of fire. Last June, an electric bicycle and scooter maintenance shop located in Chinatown caught fire following the explosion of a lithium battery. Four people lost their lives there.
New York reacts
Faced with the multiplication of these accidents, the city of New York decided to take measures. First, devices that do not meet established standards will no longer be able to be marketed. Second, New Yorkers are now prohibited from using or selling batteries modified or reconditioned from lithium-ion cells salvaged from used devices. New York City also plans to install safer charging stations.
However, it should be noted that these fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are conditioned by the particular climate of New York. Indeed, Luke Workman, a battery expert, explained to the media Electrek that temperatures can be very high in the summer in New York, increasing battery overheating, while the salt used in the winter to prevent freezing can seep into poorly sealed batteries.
It remains to be seen whether the measures taken by the city of New York will bear fruit. It should also be noted that explosions of lithium-ion batteries have also been recorded in other American cities, in London and even in Paris.
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2023-07-31 12:56:40
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