Overview

• The draft rule would make storage or use of uncertified lithium‑ion e‑bike batteries illegal citywide, with NYPD empowered to issue penalties.
• Confiscated batteries would be transferred to the Sanitation Department for disposal under the proposed enforcement scheme.
• FDNY cites a steep rise in lithium‑ion battery incidents, including 150 injuries and 18 deaths in 2023, with 29 injuries and one death recorded through July 2025.
• The plan advances beyond the 2023 law that barred sales of uncertified batteries by targeting possession and use for the first time.
• Advocates question vague seizure language and limited replacement programs that have yet to reach most delivery workers, as the city urges app companies to provide certified equipment.