Gillibrand, Schumer, Torres Urge Acceleration Of Federal Lithium-Ion Battery Regulation Amidst E-Bike Fatalities

Gillibrand, Schumer, Torres Urge Acceleration Of Federal Lithium-Ion Battery Regulation Amidst E-Bike Fatalities

Oct 16, 2026

Import of Faulty Lithium-Ion Battery Powered Micromobility Products Linked to Nationwide Deaths

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), called on Peter Feldman, Acting Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to complete the rulemaking process to set a mandatory federal standard for lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products such as e-bikes and e-scooters. In their letter, the members underscored the concerning number of lithium-ion battery-related fatalities among micromobility products across the country, particularly in New York City.

They wrote, "To prevent further destruction to our communities and protect lives, we urge the Consumer Product Safety Commission…to immediately work through stakeholder comments and swiftly complete the rulemaking process for the proposed rule, 'Safety Standard for Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Micromobility Products and Electrical Systems of Micromobility Products Containing Such Batteries.'"

The members cited the CPSC staff's pre-existing awareness of the dangers of these batteries, as a 2026 CPSC report acknowledged 367 lithium-ion battery-related fires resulting in 45 fatalities from 2017 through 2024 among all micromobility products. While this has become an issue all across the nation, the numbers are especially concerning in New York City. The members wrote that just this year, the Fire Department of the City of New York reported 362 fires and 5 deaths among users of bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, and similar single-person devices.

Local communities have attempted to implement safety measures, from setting standards for retailers to banning the use of micromobility products in certain locations. However, the members emphasized the necessity of action on the federal level. They maintained, "While these rules attempt to achieve safety, the only way to effectively prevent future fires is by setting mandatory federal standards for lithium-ion batteries. […] By finalizing this rule and setting standards for these batteries, the Commission can ensure that cheap and defective batteries do not enter the U.S. market."

Senator Gillibrand has long championed a push toward the enforcement of e-bike safety standards on the federal level. She is the lead Senate sponsor of the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, which passed the House of Representatives on April 28, 2025 and awaits passage in the Senate.

The full text of the letter is available HERE.

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