Lithium-ion batteries: 8 new laws in NY meant to protect consumers. What do they say?

New Yorkers will now be better protected against lithium-ion batteries as a wide swath of legislation was signed into law Thursday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a legislation package Thursday consisting of eight new laws intended to encourage the safe use of e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries.

“As e-bike adoption increases and battery technology continues to develop, I urge New Yorkers to be aware of safety best practices and to use their devices and chargers properly,” Hochul said Thursday. “These laws underscore our commitment to help New Yorkers make educated, safe, smart choices with their purchases of products with lithium-ion batteries and how to best store and use them in order prevent any more tragedies from occurring.”

In February, a journalist was killed in an apartment fire caused by a lithium-ion battery on an e-bike in Harlem. And last year, 17 people in New York died from lithium-ion battery fires, the FDNY told USA TODAY. That was up from 2022, which saw six deaths, and 2021, which saw four deaths from the battery fires, the department said.

Here's what to know.

What protections do the new laws provide?

The new laws range from stronger consumer protections against unsafe lithium-ion batteries to increased emergency response training for events involving lithium-ion batteries.

“In recent months, we have witnessed numerous incidents involving these batteries causing deadly fires in my district, including Staten Island and Lower Manhattan," Assemblymember Charles D. Fall said. "These new measures will ensure safer standards and provide critical resources for first responders and consumers alike, significantly enhancing safety and saving lives.”

Here's what the new laws entail:

• Lithium-ion batteries used in micro-mobility devices, bicycles with electric assist or mopeds can't be sold unless the batteries are manufactured in accordance with certain standards and specifications. Violators will be fined $500 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations made within two years of the initial violation.

• Safety resources, information and protocols regarding fire hazard protection relating to lithium-ion batteries, second-use lithium-ion batteries and bicycles with electric assist need to be developed and maintained by the Department of State, in consultation with other state agencies.

• Training materials regarding emergency response to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries must be provided for first responders.

• Retailers of micro-mobility devices, bicycles with electric assist and mopeds powered with lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion batteries intended for use in those devices must provide customers with an operating manual.

Lithium-ion battery protections: Legislators push for more lithium-ion battery protections for New Yorkers. What to know

• Police and judicial officers investigating an accident with an e-bike or e-scooter that results in death or injury are required to report it to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Police are also required to investigate these types of incidents when they are made aware of them through this law.

• Mopeds meant for use in New York need to be registered by dealers at the point of sale.

• Micro-mobility devices, moped and bicycles with electric assist are required to have a red tag on the charging cord advising users to unplug the device when not in use.

• Retailers must attach a notice on any bicycles with electric assist and micro-mobility devices advising users to always yield to pedestrians and follow traffic laws. Any retailer who violates the law may be penalized with a fine of up to $250 per unit for the first offense and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Lithium-ion batteries: How will new NY laws protect consumers?