‘Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act’ Passes U.S. House of Reps

Today, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), alongside Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), and Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23), passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a 365-42 vote.

The bipartisan bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish a final consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and other micro mobility devices to protect against the risk of fires caused by such batteries. The House of Representatives passage of the bill comes at a time when fires from lithium-ion batteries have grown exponentially in New York City. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reports rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have caused more than 1,000 fires since 2019, resulting in 523 injuries, 34 deaths & damage to over 650 hundreds of structures. In 2024, there were 279 e-bike and e-mobility device battery fires in NYC, a dramatic increase from the 30 that occurred in 2019.

On the bill’s passage, Rep. Torres said:

“For years, it has been clear that unregulated lithium-ion batteries pose a clear and present threat to the public’s safety, and it’s long past time that we do something about it. My district specifically is acutely aware of the unmitigated disaster that urban fires pose and the urgent need for stronger safety standards. Today’s success demonstrates the broad bipartisan support for this urgently needed legislation. I urge the Senate and President Trump to swiftly pass and sign the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act into law.”

Rep. Garbarino said:

“Unregulated lithium-ion batteries are a growing and top cause of fatal fires in New York and present an acute danger to the brave firefighters who respond to these incidents. This legislation will mitigate the risk of these devastating fires as the use of unchecked lithium-ion batteries in mobility devices, like those used in electric scooters and bikes, continues to increase.”

Rep. Clarke said:

“Substandard lithium-ion batteries are an easily avoidable danger to consumers and first responders alike. I am proud to join Congressman Torres in supporting this common-sense legislation to codify safety standards and best practices, making personal mobility devices like e-bikes and electric scooters safer for New Yorkers and people across the country.”

Rep. Langworthy said:

“The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, sponsored by my colleague is a commonsense solution that will set clear safety standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in e-mobility devices—ensuring that only safe, tested products reach American consumers. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. Torres and I urge the Senate to send it to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.”