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Battery fire and injury statistics
Official numbers on lithium-ion battery fires, micromobility injuries and recalls, with charging and storage rules that prevent most fires.
1,385NYC lithium-ion fires since 2021
279,145U.S. ER visits in 2025 (est.)
41battery recalls
UL 2271battery safety standard
Rad Power Bikes owners: the CPSC has warned owners to stop using certain Rad batteries. Check your battery model.
Lithium-ion battery fires in New York City
Fires where FDNY determined the cause was a lithium-ion battery, by year and boroughClosed investigations only, so the current year is partial.
| Year | Bronx | Brooklyn | Manhattan | Queens | Staten Island | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 51 |
| 2022 | 51 | 62 | 49 | 56 | 1 | 219 |
| 2023 | 74 | 97 | 47 | 48 | 2 | 268 |
| 2024 | 71 | 87 | 54 | 61 | 6 | 279 |
| 2025 | 65 | 109 | 45 | 69 | 4 | 292 |
| 2026 | 54 | 93 | 62 | 57 | 10 | 276 |
Emergency room injuries, 2025
U.S. emergency department visits by deviceNational estimates from the CPSC NEISS sample. Most are crash injuries; fire and burn cases are recorded separately.
| Device | Sampled cases | National estimate | Admitted | Under 15 | 25 to 44 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-bikes | 2,348 | 101,911 | 15% | 17% | 30% |
| Powered scooters | 4,192 | 165,038 | 13% | 18% | 36% |
| Hoverboards | 341 | 12,196 | 10% | 50% | 23% |
Safe charging and storage
What reduces battery fire risk
| Rule | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buy certified | Use batteries certified to UL 2271 and e-bikes certified to UL 2849. | Required for sale in NYC and California |
| Use the original charger | Mismatched chargers can overcharge a pack. | Charger voltage must match the pack full-charge voltage |
| Charge awake, not overnight | Unplug when full. Do not charge while you sleep or are away. | Most fires start during or right after charging |
| Keep exits clear | Never charge or store a battery in a hallway or by a door. | NYC fire code |
| Watch for warning signs | Swelling, heat, hissing, smell or leaking means stop using it. | Take it to a battery drop-off |
| Store cool and half full | Store at 40 to 60 percent charge, 50 to 77°F, away from sun. | Extends life and reduces risk |
Frequently asked questions
How common are e-bike battery fires?
FDNY attributes about 270 to 290 fires a year to lithium-ion batteries in New York City alone (2021: 51, 2022: 219, 2023: 268, 2024: 279, 2025: 292, 2026: 276). Nationally, UL Solutions counted 15,949 lithium-ion battery incidents through 2024.
What causes e-bike batteries to catch fire?
Most fires come from uncertified or damaged packs, cheap replacement cells, the wrong charger, or physical damage that causes an internal short and thermal runaway.
What do I do if my battery catches fire?
Get out, close the door behind you and call 911. Lithium-ion fires reignite and release toxic gas. Do not try to put it out with water from close range.