After learning that a fire in a Manhattan high-rise building on Saturday that required heroic rescue efforts by City firefighters was caused by a lithium ion battery, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) on Sunday touted a council bill that would prohibit the sale of batteries for e-bikes or scooters unless such batteries are listed and labeled by a recognized testing lab or other approved organization.
A person who violates the proposed local law, which is co-sponsored by Ariola, would be subject to a civil penalty, which would range from no monetary penalty for a first violation to $1,000 for each subsequent violation within two years.
In September 2021, a 9-year-old boy died and 11 people were injured in an all-hands fire in Ozone Park (pictured) that was caused by the charging of batteries for an e-bike/scooter.
File Photo
