WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Reports (CR) welcomed the Senate Commerce Committee’s approval of S. 1008, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act on Wednesday. This legislation aims to reduce the risk of fires associated with the rechargeable batteries used in e-bikes, scooters, and other mobility devices by requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create a mandatory safety standard in a timely manner. The bill now moves to the Senate floor.
A companion bill, H.R. 1797, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support earlier this year. Consumer Reports strongly urges the Senate to pass this critical bill without delay to protect consumers from the growing threat of lithium-ion battery fires.
Gabe Knight, policy advocate for Consumer Reports, said, “Fires linked to faulty lithium-ion batteries and electrical systems in products like e-bikes and e-scooters continue to cause injuries, take lives, and devastate communities. It’s vital to pass the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act to help reverse this troubling trend. We call on the Senate to urgently take up and approve this critical bill in the form it passed the House to help prevent future tragedies. There’s no time to waste.”
When poorly made, overused, tampered with, or overcharged, lithium-ion batteries that power e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices can overheat and lead to fast-spreading fires that are difficult to extinguish. In 2023, New York City alone witnessed a sharp rise in fires caused by malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries, with at least 243 incidents and 18 tragic deaths, compared to just six fatalities in 2022. Numerous reports of fires linked to e-bikes and scooters across the country have continued into 2024, underscoring the urgent need for a strong lithium-ion battery safety standard.
A coalition of over twenty-one organizations, including Consumer Reports, Grubhub, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) issued joint letters in April 2024 calling on Congress to pass the bill. This broad alliance reflects the widespread recognition of the need for federal safety standards to protect consumers nationwide from lithium-battery fires.
Consumer Reports published an investigation in 2022 on the rise of lithium-ion battery fires tied to e-bikes and other similar mobility devices, and the lack of oversight and accountability for manufacturers and sellers. CR’s investigation found that the current lack of safety regulations leaves countless consumers, their families, and neighbors at risk of serious injury or death. This is especially true for lower-income users, such as app-based delivery workers, who often rely on more affordable devices that are less likely to be UL-certified and pose greater risks. The enactment of this legislation will ensure that all consumers, regardless of income level, have access to safer e-bikes and scooters.
Media Contact: Emily Akpan, emily.akpan@consumer.org