Ontario to Ban E-Bike Storage in Hallways by 2027 to Curb Lithium Battery Fires Ontario is amending the Fire Code to ban storing e-bikes and e-scooters in residential hallways and to prohibit battery modifications, effective Jan. 1, 2027, as Toronto sees a surge in lithium-ion fires. Ontario is proposing new Fire Code changes that would ban storing electric bikes and electric scooters in the hallways and common areas of condos and apartment buildings, starting Jan. 1, 2027. The amendments would also make it illegal to modify lithium-ion batteries for unintended purposes, such as increasing speed or torque on electric mobility devices. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner announced the plans at Queen's Park on Thursday, calling it a serious issue for firefighters. Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop welcomed the upcoming changes but said more work remains. He praised the province for moving so quickly on regulatory changes that will help reduce the probability and consequence of these fires.Jessop has been speaking out about lithium-battery fires for months and calls them the greatest public safety fire risk in the city. So far in 2026, Toronto Fire Services has responded to more than 100 fires involving e-bike batteries. As of Oct. 28, there had been 119 lithium-ion battery fires, according to the chief.Toronto Fire Chief Warns of Battery FiresThat figure is up more than 200 per cent compared to when the fire department began tracking the numbers in 2022, and it is on track for a 250 per cent spike. Jessop said there are over 3,000 highrises across Toronto, and more than half of all lithium-ion battery fires occur in multi-residential buildings. Kerzner said the changes are based on feedback from Jessop and other stakeholders, including the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Ontario Provincial Firefighters Association.We want to make sure that people do not modify batteries for an unintended purpose or juice them up, Kerzner said. We want to make sure a battery that has been certified is used for the purpose that it is. Every time I hear that there's been another lithium-ion battery fire, it's really bothering me, and the root cause is people using a device for an unintended purpose.I did not know people are juicing up, modifying a lithium-ion battery for a purpose that was not originally intended. That's wrong. When asked how the new rules will be implemented and what the fines will be, Kerzner said details are still being worked out, but suggested enforcement will be left to each fire service. The province has not announced a centralized enforcement mechanism.Proposed Fire Code Changes ExplainedThis is part of our lives now using e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric cars. We have to use it the way it was intended, he said. A spokesperson for Kerzner said the province is working to finalize changes to the Ontario Fire Code that would prohibit charging, parking, and storing of lithium-ion battery-powered mobility devices and their batteries in public corridors or exits in residential buildings.The proposed changes are currently posted on the Ontario Regulatory Registry for public comment and feedback. Members of the public can comment until Nov. 16, 2026. The fire code changes do not include rules around uncertified or cheap knock-off lithium-ion batteries coming into Canada. Jessop said federal action is needed on that front.Federal Action Needed on BatteriesWe need the federal government to expedite its federal review process, Jessop said. We want to work with Health Canada and Transport Canada and the federal government. That is probably going to have the biggest single impact on reducing the probability and consequence of these fires. Kerzner noted he is also working with Toronto MP Judy Sgro on pushing the federal government to regulate and ban knockoff batteries entering the country, which Jessop has also called for.Sgro's office told CTV News on Friday it is not in a position to give an update right now but can share more next week. Jessop said one way to reduce lithium-ion battery fires is for people to stop using damaged batteries and dispose of them safely. That information is available on the city's website. Another important way to stop fires, he said, is for people to stop altering batteries to give electric mobility devices more speed or torque. That practice is part of the planned fire code upgrade.