BOSTON – Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Boston has experienced an increase of micromobility devices, such as motorized or electric bikes and scooters. Alongside additional dangerous street conditions, micromobility devices have sparked another issue: lithium-ion battery fires. This week, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss issues of public safety and storage with the use of lithium ion batteries in micromobility devices.

In May 2024, a lithium–ion battery burst into flames in an apartment in Chelsea, injuring five. Last month, two were injured in a Boston high-rise building caused by an electric scooter battery. On July 20, 2026, Massachusetts fire departments reported nearly a dozen lithium-ion battery fires so far that month, fires which reportedly are more challenging to extinguish. In July, a two-alarm fire in Roxbury was caused by a lithium-ion battery in an electric scooter on the 20th floor of the building, forcing at least 40 residents to evacuate and three people were sent to the hospital. Boston Fire Chief Brian Tully noted that fires caused by lithium-ion batteries cause a chain reaction and are difficult to extinguish. Hazmat crews were needed to remove the burnt scooter from the building.

Despite an increase of vehicle accidents and fire-related incidents, the City has yet to introduce any legislation regulating the sale, the operation, and the disposal of lithium-ion batteries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, emergency department visits nationwide for injuries caused by micromobility crashes increased by 300% from 2017 to 2024 as well as fatalities, which rose from five in 2017 to 135 in 2024. Micromobility devices are not sufficiently regulated at the federal level, devices are sold without significant regulation and good safety practices, and devices may also be of low quality and cost – therefore, the City needs to step in to prevent further injuries and accidents.

In 2023, New York City enacted Local Law 39, requiring any company selling, leasing, or distributing micromobility devices to meet safety standards published by UL Standards & Engagement that help to reduce the risk of fire. Since the law took effect, the rate of injuries and deaths have decreased from 14 deaths and 114 injuries to three deaths and 84 injuries within the same time period. In June 2026, San Francisco banned uncertified lithium ion batteries, established enforcement processes and penalties for violations, authorized the City Attorney to seek injunctive and monetary relief and attorneys’ fees, and authorized the Fire Department to implement the restriction through rules, forms, and guidance. Illinois has taken steps such as the Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act effective January 1, 2026, which required manufacturers to fund free recycling collection programs across the state.

“Lithium-ion batteries pose a serious fire risk that residents don’t typically associate with micromobility devices. While other major U.S. cities have taken action through criminal penalties, retail inspections, and bans on uncertified batteries, Boston has yet to enact similar protections. Residents and property owners deserve decisive action to prevent fires, protect property, and keep our communities safe,” said Councilor Flynn.

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and [email protected].