‘Enough is enough’: rising number of deadly ebike battery fires spark fear in New York City
City has failed to build infrastructure that could reduce threat, and saw 400 fires, 83 injuries and 12 deaths this year Fires from lithium-ion batteries, which power ebikes and scooters, have become regular occurrences in New York, causing deaths and fear among residents, but the city has failed to build infrastructure that could reduce the threat. New York has seen a dramatic uptick this year…
The rising incidence of deadly fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in ebikes has sparked fear in New York City, with the number of incidents doubling compared to just three years ago. In 2025 alone, there have been over 400 fires, resulting in 83 injuries and 12 fatalities, according to the New York Fire Department (FDNY). This year's figures already surpass those of the previous year, which saw 292 fires, 51 injuries, and one death.
In a tragic incident in late October, an 11-year-old boy and four other family members perished in a fire caused by an ebike battery in a public housing building in the Bronx. Recently, in Brooklyn, six individuals lost their lives, and nine others, including three firefighters and two police officers, were injured. The presence of lithium-ion batteries at the scene has raised serious concerns, and the city's Speaker of the Council, Julie Menin, called for more measures to ensure safe storage practices.
Experts attribute the surge in fires to the increased popularity of ebikes, often used by food delivery workers and commuters, and the lack of infrastructure to prevent people from plugging the batteries in their apartments, where the risk of overheating or defective batteries is higher. New York City has not implemented its plan to build outdoor charging stations, raising questions about the effectiveness of the city's efforts to address the issue.
While the city conducted a successful pilot program in 2024, installing battery-swapping cabinets for delivery workers, it has not yet installed the 25 charging sites planned for 2027. Mayor Eric Adams announced in 2023 that the city had received a $25 million federal grant to build 173 electric-micromobility charging and storage stations at public housing developments, but the funds have not yet been provided.
The permitting process for installing the cabinets has been criticized as "ludicrous" and has resulted in fines for property owners.
The FDNY has been working closely with companies that provide battery-swapping cabinets, but the deputy commissioner, Amanda Farinacci, stated that the department's focus is on public safety, and any concerns about the cabinets are valid. The city is currently gathering feedback on the locations for the charging sites, with the goal of making them available in 2028.
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