Exploding Ebike Batteries To Be Curtailed By New Law In Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — Two years ago, four people died in New York City after ion batteries used by ebikes and motorized scooters exploded in a shop below. More recently, a massive fire in a South Jersey junkyard was blamed on improper disposal of the batteries.

The city of Hoboken announced Tuesday that the mayor and council had passed an ordinance to regulate the charging, sale, and use of the batteries in Hoboken.

While the city is not banning the batteries, they are promoting safety and banning the sale of used batteries, they said.

The Hoboken Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety Law will take effect on March 11 following a public awareness and education campaign, the city said.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante, and Fire Chief Anton Peskens explained more about the ordinance.

The ordinance, created under the guidance of Chief Peskens and Hoboken Fire Marshal Stephen DiVincent, prohibits the sale, repair, and/or use of second-hand lithium-ion batteries.

The law also prohibits the charging and/or storage of a lithium-ion powered battery or a lithium-ion battery powered mobility devices in common areas, including basements, lobbies, and hallways, of residential properties with three or more units.

“The city of Hoboken supports the safe use of micro-mobility vehicles, and that includes the safe use of the batteries that power them," Bhalla said. "We have seen what type of destruction second-hand and improperly used lithium-ion batteries have caused in neighboring communities, and we will do whatever we can to keep our residents safe from these devastating fires.”

“We are not banning e-bikes or e-scooters in Hoboken,” said Ferrante. “These regulations are crucial for public safety reasons and will keep our residents and visitors safe from the fast-moving and all too often deadly fires, that are associated with the batteries those devices use.”

“Lithium-ion batteries can pose serious fire risks if not handled, or disposed of properly, as we have all sadly witnessed in other communities,” Peskens said. “Stricter guidelines and regulations allow us to reduce these risks, as well as better protect both first responders and the public.”

“These fires have caused millions of dollars in damage and put countless lives at risk, but they are preventable,” said DiVincent. “Hoboken must take proactive steps now, to put safeguards in place, before we face unnecessary tragedy. Prevention is always the smartest strategy.”

“We thank the City Council and Mayor Bhalla for adopting new legislation that strengthens battery safety and takes a strong step toward protecting residents," said Andrew Wilson, executive director of Bike Hoboken. “By addressing high-risk batteries and unsafe storage practices, these regulations effectively enhance public safety while ensuring residents maintain access to the essential transportation devices they rely on.”

"I’d like to thank the administration, Fire Department, and council colleagues for working together on this first step toward managing the
risk associated with batteries used in many micromobility devices," said Councilman Joe Quintero. "While this is a first step, I know that by working with these parties, including bike safety advocates like Bike Hoboken, we can implement additional measures that balance safety with the mobility needs of our residents."