Council Votes to Establish City’s First Lithium-ion Battery Swap Program to Remove Uncertified Batteries from Circulation and Reduce Fire Hazards

 

The New York City Council voted to establish a first-of-its-kind trade-in program that provides new lithium-ion batteries and powered mobility devices, such as electric scooters or electric bicycles. Such devices would be provided at reduced cost or no cost in exchange for used batteries and mobility devices that do not meet fire safety standards or are otherwise illegal. This bill is an important next step in the Council’s ongoing efforts to curb lithium-ion battery fires.

In addition, the Council voted to pass a comprehensive package of legislation to improve water safety throughout New York City, an issue highlighted in Speaker Adams’ 2023 State of the City address. The bills would mandate the City survey locations to site more public pools, require that second graders have access to free swimming lessons, and implement essential reporting measures concerning pool and beach staffing, and, safety, including information on the seasonal recruitment of lifeguards.

The Council also passed bills to support Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) and small businesses, another priority in the Speaker’s State of the City, as well as bills to promote municipal workforce retention, emergency food program awareness, and long-term sustainability.

“The Council took decisive action to protect our communities by establishing an unprecedented trade-in program for uncertified lithium-ion batteries to reduce dangerous fires caused by those that don’t meet safety standards,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This program will support the workers, who power our economy and rely on electric bikes and scooters, to exchange the batteries for their devices. The Council’s legislation to expand access to public pools, provide free swimming lessons, and improve water safety for New Yorkers is matter of public safety and justice, given one out of three Black students in New York can’t swim. In addition, we expanded access to information on CDFIs so that our city’s M/WBE’s can better connect with the financial resources that support their success. I’m proud to follow through on these priorities established in my State of the City address, and I thank my colleagues for their work to pass this critical legislation.”