Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Safe Charging Electrical Bikes and Scooters Act”.
Safe Charging Electrical Bikes and Scooters Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to provide grants to local governments to install publicly accessible safety charging stations for electric bicycles and scooters, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Safe charging electrical bicycle and scooter grant program
In general— The Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program under which the Secretary may award grants to local governments for eligible projects to construct safe charging stations located in eligible publicly accessible locations.
Eligible projects— Eligible projects under this section include any project to acquire or install safe lithium-ion battery power stations and storage for electric bicycles or scooters in public places.
Eligible locations— An eligible project receiving a grant under this section shall be located in an eligible publicly accessible location, including any public road or other publicly accessible locations, such as parking facilities at public buildings, public schools, libraries, and public parks, or in publicly accessible parking facilities owned or managed by private entities.
Funding— Notwithstanding section 151 of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary may use up to $100,000,000 of the funds made available to carry out such section for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to carry out this section.
Sec. 3 Consumer education program and campaign
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall develop an educational program and related resources to inform the public about the health and safety risks relating to the following:
The recommendation that customers should always buy lithium-ion batteries and electric bicycles and scooters that have been certified by a nationally accredited testing laboratory, which performs safety testing.
Ensuring use of a charger that is compatible with the lithium-ion battery that the charger is charging.
Lithium-ion batteries showing signs that such batteries are in need of replacement if such batteries heat up, expand, or take longer than usual to charge.
Recommendations from experts for storing lithium-ion batteries in fireproof containers.
Public availability— The Secretary shall ensure that the educational program and related resources developed under paragraph (1) are available to and readily accessible by the public on the website of the Department of Transportation.
Sec. 4 Study
Study—
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study on the number of uncertified lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles and scooters that are currently available in the United States market as well as affordability and availability of certified lithium-ion batteries.
Additional identification— In carrying out the study under this subsection, the Secretary may identify market barriers to the availability of certified and affordable lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles and scooters.
Consultation— In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including United States manufacturers of electric bicycles and scooters and lithium-ion batteries, consumer advocacy groups, labor groups or unions, and consumer safety organizations.
Report— Not later than 180 days after the completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of such study and any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action to ensure that more certified and affordable lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles and scooters are available in the United States market.