Lithium-ion batteries have been in the headlines recently after causing fires in the city.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the common rechargeable power sources.
What are lithium-ion batteries?
A lithium-ion battery is “an advanced battery technology that uses lithium ions as a key component of its electrochemistry,” according to the Clean Energy Institute at the University of Washington. They are in many electric bikes and electric scooters.
The batteries have a tendency to overheat and can spontaneously combust when charging. The Clean Energy Institute said the batteries can also lose capacity and fail “after a number of years.”
Who uses lithium-ion batteries?
Some food delivery workers rely on e-bikes and e-scooters that contain lithium-ion batteries for their jobs. Some store them in their living space.
Some residents also use those bikes…
What are lithium-ion batteries and why do they cause fires?
