Congress·Passed House·H.R. 973

House Passes Bill Requiring New Safety Standards for E-Bike and Scooter Batteries to Prevent Fires

Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Congress Mandates New Safety Standards for E-Bike Lithium-Ion Batteries

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

✓ House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill requires the government to set strict safety rules for the lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes, electric scooters, and other small electric ride-on devices. The goal is to make sure these batteries are built safely so they do not catch fire or explode while charging or in use.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has about six months to turn existing industry safety guidelines into official federal laws. This means any company selling these products in the U.S. would have to follow the same high safety standards to protect consumers from dangerous malfunctions.
The policy focuses on personal electric vehicles that people use for short trips. By making these batteries safer, the government aims to reduce the number of house fires and injuries caused by faulty or low-quality batteries that have become more common as these devices grow in popularity.
In five years, officials will report back to Congress on whether the new rules are working. They will track which specific battery models are still causing problems and where those batteries were made to help identify and remove dangerous products from store shelves.

Energy EnvironmentInfrastructure Transportation

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

4 milestones15 actions

Apr 29, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate.

Apr 28, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Apr 28, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 42 (Roll no. 103). (text: CR H1637)

Apr 28, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 42 (Roll no. 103). (text: CR H1637: 1)

Apr 28, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1668)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days after the bill is signed into law

CPSC must finalize mandatory safety standards for e-bike, e-scooter, and light electric vehicle batteries

Once finalized, all lithium-ion batteries and electrical systems in these consumer products sold in the U.S. must meet the UL safety standards. Non-compliant products can be recalled or banned from sale.

5 years after enactment

CPSC reports to Congress on battery fires and explosions

The government will review whether the new standards are actually reducing fires and injuries, and identify which battery brands and countries of origin are still causing problems. This could lead to additional enforcement actions.

Vote Results

1 vote

HousePassedProceduralApr 28, 2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

365

Democrat

202 – 0 · 11

Republican

163 – 42 · 14

View full roll call

Related News

4 articles

Nasdaq·11 months ago

Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 973 - Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 973, requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish final safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in micromobility devices like e-bikes and scooters. The bill passed with a bipartisan 365-42 vote.

IFSJ·11 months ago

Lithium-ion battery fire risks addressed through U.S. House legislation

The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 973, directing the CPSC to issue mandatory federal safety standards for batteries used in micromobility devices. Fire service leaders praised the move as a critical step in preventing life-threatening thermal runaway incidents.

Autobody News·over 1 year ago

Lawmakers Push EV Battery Fire Safety Standards

Following House passage of H.R. 1797, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a companion bill mandating the CPSC to implement new safety standards for lithium-ion batteries. The standards aim to reduce risks of fires and explosions in personal e-mobility devices.

Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 1768Related bill

Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act

Mar 3 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Budget, the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.