A battery safety bill for e-bikes and e-scooters, currently being advanced by New York State, is drawing significant attention from both the industry and consumers. Micromobility technology, a common mode of transport in urban areas that reduces carbon emissions and enhances accessibility, has transformed our daily lives. However, behind this convenience lies a major challenge: increasingly severe battery fire incidents. Can New York State's stringent new legislation offer a solution to this problem? And can South Korea be exempt from this issue? New York State is pushing for new legislation that will significantly strengthen safety standards for lithium-ion batteries, effective April 27, 2026. According to a report by Electrek, this bill aims to expand similar safety regulations already in effect in New York City to the entire state, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive safety net to address the surge in battery fire incidents. The core of the bill mandates that batteries and chargers must meet internationally certified safety standards, particularly UL certification, and prohibits the sale of uncertified products. Looking at the key provisions of the proposed bill, first, batteries and chargers for e-bikes and e-scooters will be mandated to meet specific safety standards. This measure ensures that only products that have passed verified safety standards, such as UL certification, can be distributed in the market. Second, the sale of uncertified batteries and chargers will be completely prohibited. This is expected to remove low-cost, uncertified products from the market. Third, education and public awareness campaigns will be strengthened to prevent consumers from using illegal aftermarket or modified batteries. Fourth, battery manufacturers and sellers will be obligated to provide product safety information. These measures are raising overall societal awareness about battery fires, a safety issue that may be somewhat unfamiliar to the public. The background for New York State's push for such stringent regulations is the surge in battery fire incidents in recent years. New York State noted that while e-bikes and e-scooters have become an important part of urban transportation, fires caused by low-cost or uncertified batteries are leading to serious casualties and property damage in residential and commercial areas. These fires, in particular, spread rapidly due to the characteristics of lithium-ion batteries and are difficult to extinguish, posing a serious problem not only for consumers but for the entire community. The danger of battery fires is even more concerning because it can extend beyond damage to the device itself, spreading harm to surrounding buildings and people. The general analysis is that the risk of e-bike and e-scooter battery fires ultimately stems from low-cost, uncertified products. UL certification (Underwriters Laboratories Certification) provides strict standards for evaluating the safety of electronic products like batteries. This certification verifies that batteries can operate safely under various hazardous conditions, including overcharging, over-discharging, impact, and temperature changes. The problem is that high-quality, safety-certified products are relatively expensive. Especially, small-scale individual users, such as delivery riders, often rely on low-cost, uncertified batteries for economic reasons, creating safety blind spots. Some users also arbitrarily modify batteries to enhance performance, an act that significantly increases fire risk. If New York State's current bill passes, it is expected to directly impact not only e-bike and e-scooter manufacturers and sellers but also numerous individuals and businesses that use these devices for delivery services. Manufacturers will need to re-engineer their design and production processes to ensure all products meet safety standards, which could lead to increased initial costs. Sellers will be unable to handle uncertified products, requiring them to readjust inventory management and supply chains. Consumers, especially delivery riders, will need to purchase safety-certified products, which may increase their initial investment costs. However, in the long term, these regulations are positively evaluated for their potential to prevent fire incidents, reduce repair and replacement costs, and most importantly, protect lives and property. Korean Market Review: Why We Should Pay Attention This movement is expected to contribute to removing non-standard products from the market by mandating the use of safety-certified products, thereby improving the overall safety level of the e-mobility industry in the long run. Furthermore, as the safety verification of battery technology becomes more critical, related research and development (R&D) investments are expected to become more active. Battery manufacturers will strive for technological innovation to meet safety standards while maintaining performance and price competitiven
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