NYC's E-Bike and Electric Scooter Battery Law: Why UL Certification Matters
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Since September 16, 2023, New York City has only allowed the sale, lease and rental of e-bikes, electric scooters and batteries that are certified to UL safety standards: UL 2849 for e-bikes, UL 2272 for electric scooters and other mobility devices, and UL 2271 for the batteries themselves. It covers second-hand sales too.
Lithium-ion battery fires are the reason. The FDNY counted 268 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in 2023, many of them in e-bikes. The city's answer was a set of laws that decide what can be sold, what can be rebuilt, and how riders should charge. Here is what they mean when you buy, ride and service an e-bike or electric scooter in NYC.
- E-bikes sold in NYC must be certified to UL 2849
- Electric scooters and other mobility devices: UL 2272
- Replacement batteries: UL 2271
- Applies to new and second-hand sales, leases and rentals
- Batteries built from cells taken out of other batteries cannot be assembled or sold in NYC
What Local Law 39 of 2023 requires
Local Law 39 bans the sale, lease or rental of e-mobility devices and storage batteries in New York City unless they are certified by an accredited testing laboratory to the relevant UL standard. Sellers must display the certification, the lab's logo or the lab's name on the device, the packaging, or the documents you receive at sale.
| What you are buying | Standard it must meet |
|---|---|
| E-bike | UL 2849 (the electrical system of the whole e-bike) |
| Electric scooter, electric unicycle, hoverboard and other powered mobility devices | UL 2272 |
| Battery sold on its own | UL 2271 (batteries for light electric vehicles) |
The law applies to devices being sold, leased or rented, including second-hand. It does not apply to an e-bike or electric scooter you already own and ride, unless you sell or rent it. Businesses that sell uncertified devices or batteries face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per model.
Rebuilt batteries are not allowed in NYC
A second city law, Local Law 42 of 2023, prohibits assembling or reconditioning a lithium-ion battery using cells removed from other batteries, and selling batteries made that way. That is why a proper NYC shop replaces a failing battery pack with a certified one instead of rebuilding it from loose cells, and why cheap "rebuilt" packs are a red flag.
At our NYC shops, battery service means testing the pack and, when it is failing, replacing it. A battery load test and health report starts from $50, and e-bike battery pack replacement starts from $500, parts and labor included. Final prices depend on the model.
How to check certification before you buy
- Look for the lab's mark or name on the device, its box or its documents. UL, Intertek (ETL) and TÜV are examples of accredited labs.
- Match the standard to the product. An e-bike should list UL 2849, an electric scooter UL 2272, a spare battery UL 2271.
- Ask the seller for the paperwork. In NYC, a legitimate seller must be able to show it.
- Be careful with marketplaces and used sales. The rules apply to second-hand sales too, but private listings rarely come with documents.
Safe charging, in the FDNY's words
The FDNY's safety guidance for lithium-ion devices includes:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and storage.
- Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch.
- Keep batteries and devices at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
- Stay with your e-bike or battery while it charges; never charge overnight or when no one is home.
- Use batteries certified by an accredited lab, and replace damaged batteries rather than repairing them.
What this means when you buy from Wilson's
When you buy an e-bike or electric scooter in one of our NYC shops, ask us to show you the certification for that model. We also service every brand, wherever you bought it, so if you are unsure about a used e-bike or electric scooter you already own, bring it in: a simple inspection is free, and we will tell you what we find.
Browse electric bikes and electric scooters, or see our repair services and prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to own an uncertified e-bike in NYC?
Local Law 39 covers selling, leasing and renting. It does not apply to a device you already own and use, unless you sell or rent it.
What does UL 2849 cover?
UL 2849 is the safety standard for the electrical system of an e-bike as a whole: battery, charger and motor system tested together.
What is the difference between UL 2272 and UL 2271?
UL 2272 covers the electrical system of powered mobility devices such as electric scooters and hoverboards. UL 2271 covers batteries for light electric vehicles, such as a spare e-bike battery sold on its own.
Can a shop rebuild my e-bike battery in NYC?
Not from cells taken out of other batteries. Local Law 42 of 2023 prohibits assembling or reconditioning lithium-ion batteries that way. A failing pack should be replaced with a certified one.
Where can I get a battery tested in NYC?
At our shops in Flushing, Elmhurst, Brooklyn and Long Island City. Battery load testing starts from $50 and is waived if you go ahead with a repair quoted over $100.
Sources: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, certified batteries and devices; FDNY, Lithium-Ion Battery Safety; NYC Council, micromobility safety laws. Checked September 2026. General information, not legal advice; check the official pages for the latest.