In spite of his girlfriend’s advice and against her better judgment, Alfonso Villa Muoz defiantly made the impulsive decision to splurge a staggering $700 on a mesmerizing cherry red electric bicycle (E-Bike).
He would carry the scooter up from the bodega where he worked and charge the lithium-ion battery in their third-story College Point, Queens apartment.
A Tragic Incident Sheds Light on the Risks of E-Bikes and E-Scooters
But a month later, the battery blew up, starting a fire that cruelly claimed Stephanie, their 8-year-old daughter’s life.
Since the use of e-bikes and e-scooters has increased in New York City, the incident brings attention to the risks posed by lithium battery fires.
The risks are exacerbated by a lack of regulation, dangerous charging procedures, and a crowded metropolitan environment.
In order to solve the problem, the city has taken action, including preventing the sale of non-compliant e-mobility equipment and advocating for increased regulation.
The proliferation of subpar electronics and batteries without the necessary safety certifications, however, continues to be problematic.
The devastation caused by these disasters has prompted calls for stronger laws and higher battery safety requirements.
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Understanding the Mechanics and Safety Measures
Since 1991, lithium batteries have been utilized commercially, although there have been numerous recalls due to fires starting in hoverboards, Samsung smartphones, and Dell notebook computers.
Lithium batteries have, however, usually gotten safer following years of research to engineering the threat out, according to Adam Barowy, a fire protection engineer who specializes in lithium batteries with the Fire Safety Research Institute at UL Research Institutes, a nonprofit.
A lithium battery is made up of a collection of tiny cells.
Lithium ions flow between the electrodes inside each cell when the battery is in use, producing an electrical current.
The risk arises when a cell experiences “thermal runaway,” a chain reaction in which heat builds up quickly and poses a risk of fire and occasionally explosion.
Overcharging, a manufacturing flaw, or even heat from a nearby cell in the battery pack that is already in thermal runaway might cause a cell to enter this state.
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