Lithium-ion batteries, which can be found in many popular consumer products, are under scrutiny this week after a massive New York fire believed to be caused by a battery powering an electric scooter injured 7 people. In 2022, New York firefighters responded to more than 200 electric scooters and motorcycles fires, resulting in 6 deaths.
“In all of these fires, lithium-ion fires, the combustion is not slow; there is no small amount of fire, it is literally exploding,” explained FDNY (New York City Fire Department) Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. They are very difficult to extinguish and therefore particularly dangerous.”
Lithium-ion battery accidents multiply: First, these batteries are found in many consumer technology products. But a combination of manufacturer issues, misuse, and old batteries can increase the risk.
“Lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, but only as long as there are no defects and the batteries are not damaged or mishandled,” said Steve Kerber, vice president and CEO of the Fire Safety Research Institute (UL). . (FSRI). “The more batteries that surround us, the more accidents we will see.”
In 2016, Samsung issued a global recall of the Galaxy Note 7, citing “battery cell issues” that caused the device to catch fire and occasionally explode. Later, HP and Sony recalled lithium computer batteries due to fire risks: about 500,000 hoverboards were recalled due to the risk of “ignition and/or explosion,” according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. US consumption.
In 2020, the FAA banned the check of unfastened lithium-ion batteries in baggage and said they must remain with the passenger in their carry-on baggage.
Dylan Coe, an analyst with technology intelligence firm ABI Research, confirmed that electric bicycles and scooters use batteries that can be about 50 times larger than those in a smartphone. “So when a fire happens, it’s much more serious,” Khoo said.
All lithium-ion batteries use flammable materials. “This process can occur due to overheating of the battery, puncture, or electrical fault such as a short circuit,” he said. “In cases where fires occur spontaneously during shipment, they are most likely due to manufacturing defects.”
According to Kerber, the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries is increasing at an exponential pace in the United States and globally, especially when it comes to e-bikes and e-scooters, due to the increase in purchases of these products during this period. epidemic.
And what can people do?
Kerber recommended that people buy UL-certified electric bikes and scooters from reputable companies; Online marketplaces often make it difficult for customers to know where products actually come from. In addition to scooters and e-bikes, experts have warned that anyone with a lithium-ion battery should follow proper guidelines for charging and using the battery.
Any device with such a battery should be charged and stored in a cool dry place, and not left charging for extended periods of time or while sleeping. Batteries should also be checked routinely for cracks or bulges. People should always use the charger that came with their device or use one from a reputable supplier.
Experts warned that “high temperatures can accelerate deterioration of almost all battery components and can lead to significant safety risks, including fire or explosion.” “
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