STANDARDS & COMMITTEES Lithium ion batteries used for e-bikes and scooters have caused hundreds of fires in New York City. Improved battery standards needed as micromobility device popularity increases Written by SZE-SZE NG, Micromobility Battery Standards Committee chair and Principal Technical Service & Development Scientist at The Dow Chemical Company. Battery-powered micromobility devices, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, are on the rise worldwide for daily commutes, recreation, and even for commercial use by delivery services. Lithium-ion batteries provide an extra power boost to these transportation devices, allowing users to travel much longer distances more quickly and with less effort required than with traditional human-powered alternatives. Millions of commuters depend on micromobility devices to make short trips or connect to public transit. Sightseeing 46 December 2023 along scenic routes has become effortless for adventure-seekers. E-bikes have become the standard vehicle of choice for last-mile delivery workers in urban cities. The rise in popularity of these micromobility products also results in an increasing number of fire incidents due to malfunctioning of their battery packs. In New York City alone, there were at least 108 fires resulting in 13 deaths in the first half of 2023. With the much smaller size of these batteries compared to those used in electric vehicles (EVs), the general public tends to underestimate or simply lack awareness of the extent of the damage that micromobility device battery packs are capable of causing. Because of their smaller size, these batteries may be charged or stored in areas not UPDATE FDNYhttps://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2023/consumer-alert-attorney-general-james-provides-tips-protect-new-yorkers-e-bike https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2023/consumer-alert-attorney-general-james-provides-tips-protect-new-yorkers-e-bike