New York City Fire Department’s Commissioner Robert S Tucker, has issued a stern warning. Structural fires in his city increased 53% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of the previous year. The plague of e-bike and scooter fires appears to be the result of charging substandard scooter and e-bike batteries inside buildings. Clearly, NYC residents need to stop doing this.
What’s Behind the Plague of E-Bike and Scooter Fires
The Fire Rescue.1 website has an interesting angle that makes sense. They say, and we quote, “Many deliveristas buy a supply of knockoff backup batteries, so their e-bike and scooters can stay continuously charged”. Does this mean they leave spares charging while they are out on delivery rounds?
The core message of the NYC fire chief is ‘take it outside’ to charge it. However, that may be tough, if you live on the third floor of an old apartment building without a balcony …
The NYC fire department press release advises, “The safest place to charge and store lithium-ion batteries is outside, where possible”. Perhaps this is a facility that landlords should provide? The plague of e-bike and e-scooter fires is not good news for their buildings either.
40 Lithium-Ion Fires Are Alarming When Lives Are Risked
New York City Fire Department’s Commissioner Robert S Tucker shared more alarming news. There has been a ‘troubling uptick’ of structural fires caused by these lithium-ion batteries he says, following an improvement in 2024:
- There were 40 structural fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in Quarter 1 of 2025.
- This is a 53% increase over the number of similar fires in Quarter 1 of the previous year.
- There were also 19 non-structural fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in Quarter 1 of 2025.
- This is a 24% increase over the number of similar fires in Quarter 1 of the previous year.
“A malfunctioning or un-certified lithium-ion battery can explode at any moment, charging or not,” the fire chief warns. “And residents need to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.”
More Information
Charge Safely, Sleep Soundly at Night
High-Nickel Lithium Battery Runaway Tamed
Preview Image: Aftermath of E-Bike Fire
