January 31, 2024


Elected officials never talk about lithium batteries unless there's something else they don't want to talk about. 

Lithium batteries have been exploding for years. In 2017 it made the news because the batteries were blowing up airplanes. There were 18 incidents. Thirty-one in 2016. Sixteen in 2015.

Bad ol' lithiums are old news. But this week, because Gov. Hochul didn't want to talk about the out of control crime in New York City streets, she announced breaking news: She was going to crack down on lithium batteries on e-bikes and scooters.

"My top priority is to keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said. Mayor Adams wholeheartedly agreed.

Of course, “cracking down” did not include discussion of the lithium batteries that power Joe’s electric cars. 

The ones that explode. Are toxic to recycle. That cover the entire undercarriage of a car. And, when they explode, are immune to any fire fighter's efforts to extinguish the flames.

Hochul didn't get into that. Or crime on New York City's streets.

Hang tough.