Latest news with #UPP
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Private parking operator agrees to pay Vt. $150,000 over 'misleading citations'
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – A Maine-based private parking operator has agreed to pay Vermont roughly $150,000 after the company issued 'citations' without governmental authority to do so, Attorney General Charity Clark announced. Unified Parking Partners runs about 27 private parking areas in various parts of the state. UPP reportedly sent 'citations' to consumers over the course of four years, between 2020 and 2024. If unpaid, UPP alleged that 'citations' could impact license renewal, credit rating and more. In a release, Attorney General Clark and her office said that 'thousands' of consumers paid off these fines, and that UPP does not have the proper authority to impact consumer credit. Officers search for suspect in golf-cart theft An investigation was conducted regarding UPP's possible Consumer Protection Act violations, and they have agreed to change 'misleading parking notices' in addition to paying the fine. The company must also stop using term 'carrying any consequence it has no lawfulauthority to make,' according to an excerpt from the settlement agreement. Such language includes the terms 'citation' and 'fine'. Attorney General Clark said she is 'pleased that this company has agreed to stop its misrepresentations.' 'Companies have a right to charge for services rendered, but not to trick consumers into paying out of fear that disputing a charge could come with consequences the company has no power to impose. The message to commercial actors is that words matter and misrepresentations carry consequences. I'm pleased that this company has agreed to stop its misrepresentations.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Recalled gadget linked to explosions and fires found for sale on Facebook after mass blacklisting
A government notice previously warned of "potentially fatal consequences" if the battery fails DON'T BUY Recalled gadget linked to explosions and fires found for sale on Facebook after mass blacklisting A DANGEROUS e-bike battery previously blacklisted by the government has reportedly been found for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Households are being urged not to buy models of a UPP (Unit Pack Power) branded e-bike battery as they pose a serious risk of fire and even explosion. 2 The e-bike batteries suffer from thermal runaway, which can start fires that are almost impossible to extinguish Credit: West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service 2 The Independent reported that several listings for the U004 and U004-1 e-bike battery models were still online Credit: Electrical Safety First The government issued a withdrawal notice to online sellers such as Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba in February 2024. The notice warned of "potentially fatal consequences" if the battery fails. This meant the dangerous triangular-shaped UPP e-bike battery was no longer available for purchase on these platforms. However, the risky model has since been found for sale by private sellers on Facebook Marketplace, according to The Independent. Facebook was not directly issued with the original withdrawal notice. But a follow-up warning from government in February of this year was reportedly circulated online to reach the wider business community. While Meta, which owns Facebook, confirmed it had removed the listings, The Independent reported that several listings for the U004 and U004-1 models were still online. These listings were reportedly found to be advertised for sale in Greater Manchester, Greater London, Hull, Derbyshire, Southampton and Reading. One battery for sale, seen by charity Electrical Safety First, was described by the seller as being "a little bit burnt" from being "left near a radiator", according to the report. Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained The batteries suffer from thermal runaway - which causes them to reach up to 600C, during which they can release toxic gases and start fires that are almost impossible to extinguish, Electrical Safety First warned. In a statement earlier this year, Graham Russell, chief executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), said: "Unsafe e-bikes batteries are still in use around the country. "When they are being charged, they can catch fire with horrific force, threatening the lives of those who use them, their families and their neighbours." He added: "While OPSS takes action to remove these wherever we can, it is vital that consumers are aware of the risks and that they check that their own e-bike, or any e-bike they see for sale online, does not contain these UPP batteries. "If anyone finds one, don't use it and contact the seller." A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk. It's essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published government warning. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said online sellers must ensure they are not unknowingly passing on dangerous e-bike batteries. "A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk," said Capanna. 'It's essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published government warning." Capanna also warned that the current rules policing online marketplaces and protecting shoppers from dangerous goods are not good enough. It comes as the government's Product Regulation & Metrology Bill progresses through the House of Commons. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson told the Independent: "We take the risk of e-scooter and e-bike fires very seriously, and it is an offence to sell a product that a distributor knows or should know is unsafe. "Users should check that their own e-bike, or any e-bike they see for sale online, does not contain these UPP batteries, and anyone with information about the continued sale of these dangerous products should contact the Office for Product Safety and Standards."
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Recalled gadget linked to explosions and fires found for sale on Facebook after mass blacklisting
A DANGEROUS e-bike battery previously blacklisted by the government has reportedly been found for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Households are being urged not to buy models of a UPP (Unit Pack Power) branded e-bike battery as they pose a serious risk of fire and even explosion. 2 2 The government issued a withdrawal notice to online sellers such as Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba in February 2024. The notice warned of "potentially fatal consequences" if the battery fails. This meant the dangerous triangular-shaped UPP e-bike battery was no longer available for purchase on these platforms. However, the risky model has since been found for sale by private sellers on Facebook Marketplace, according to The Independent. Facebook was not directly issued with the original withdrawal notice. But a follow-up warning from government in February of this year was reportedly circulated online to reach the wider business community. While Meta, which owns Facebook, confirmed it had removed the listings, The Independent reported that several listings for the U004 and U004-1 models were still online. These listings were reportedly found to be advertised for sale in Greater Manchester, Greater London, Hull, Derbyshire, Southampton and Reading. One battery for sale, seen by charity Electrical Safety First, was described by the seller as being "a little bit burnt" from being "left near a radiator", according to the report. The batteries suffer from thermal runaway - which causes them to reach up to 600C, during which they can release toxic gases and start fires that are almost impossible to extinguish, Electrical Safety First warned. In a statement earlier this year, Graham Russell, chief executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), said: "Unsafe e-bikes batteries are still in use around the country. "When they are being charged, they can catch fire with horrific force, threatening the lives of those who use them, their families and their neighbours." He added: "While OPSS takes action to remove these wherever we can, it is vital that consumers are aware of the risks and that they check that their own e-bike, or any e-bike they see for sale online, does not contain these UPP batteries. "If anyone finds one, don't use it and contact the seller." A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk. It's essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published government warning. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said online sellers must ensure they are not unknowingly passing on dangerous e-bike batteries. "A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk," said Capanna. 'It's essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published government warning." Capanna also warned that the current rules policing online marketplaces and protecting shoppers from dangerous goods are not good enough. It comes as the government's Product Regulation & Metrology Bill progresses through the House of Commons. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson told the Independent: "We take the risk of e-scooter and e-bike fires very seriously, and it is an offence to sell a product that a distributor knows or should know is unsafe. "Users should check that their own e-bike, or any e-bike they see for sale online, does not contain these UPP batteries, and anyone with information about the continued sale of these dangerous products should contact the Office for Product Safety and Standards."
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Recalled gadget linked to explosions and fires found for sale on Facebook after mass blacklisting
A DANGEROUS e-bike battery previously blacklisted by the government has reportedly been found for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Households are being urged not to buy models of a UPP (Unit Pack Power) branded e-bike battery as they pose a serious risk of fire and even explosion. 2 The e-bike batteries suffer from thermal runaway, which can start fires that are almost impossible to extinguish Credit: West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service 2 The Independent reported that several listings for the U004 and U004-1 e-bike battery models were still online Credit: Electrical Safety First The government issued a withdrawal notice to online sellers such as Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba in February 2024. The notice warned of "potentially fatal consequences" if the battery fails. This meant the dangerous triangular-shaped UPP e-bike battery was no longer available for purchase on these platforms. However, the risky model has since been found for sale by private sellers on READ MORE ON PRODUCT RECALLS Facebook was not directly issued with the original withdrawal notice. But a follow-up warning from government in February of this year was reportedly circulated online to reach the wider business community. While Meta, which owns Facebook, confirmed it had removed the listings, The Independent reported that several listings for the U004 and U004-1 models were still online. These listings were reportedly found to be advertised for sale in Greater Manchester, Greater London, Hull, Most read in Tech One battery for sale, seen by charity Electrical Safety First, was described by the seller as being "a little bit burnt" from being "left near a radiator", according to the report. Ford Recalls 148,000 Vehicles: Fire & Crash Risks Explained The batteries suffer from thermal runaway - which causes them to reach up to 600C, during which they can release toxic gases and start fires that are almost impossible to extinguish, Electrical Safety First warned. In a statement earlier this year, Graham Russell, chief executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), said: "Unsafe e-bikes batteries are still in use around the country. "When they are being charged, they can catch fire with horrific force, threatening the lives of those who use them, their families and their neighbours." He added: "While OPSS takes action to remove these wherever we can, it is vital that consumers are aware of the risks and that they check that their own e-bike, or any e-bike they see for sale online, does not contain these UPP batteries. "If anyone finds one, don't use it and contact the seller." A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk. It's essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published government warning. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said online sellers must ensure they are not unknowingly passing on dangerous e-bike batteries. "A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk," said Capanna. 'It's essential all online marketplaces and businesses proactively engage with the published government warning." Capanna also warned that the current rules policing online marketplaces and protecting shoppers from dangerous goods are not good enough. It comes as the government's Product Regulation & Metrology Bill progresses through the House of Commons. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson told the Independent: "We take the risk of e-scooter and e-bike fires very seriously, and it is an offence to sell a product that a distributor knows or should know is unsafe. "Users should check that their own e-bike, or any e-bike they see for sale online, does not contain these UPP batteries, and anyone with information about the continued sale of these dangerous products should contact the Office for Product Safety and Standards."
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning over dangerous e-bike battery linked to fires and explosions that is still on sale across the country
If you own an electric bike, you need to check its battery right now, safety experts say. An investigation by Electrical Safety First has found that dangerous e-bike batteries are being posted for sale via Facebook Marketplace across the UK. Due to a defect with certain models, battery cells inside can reach temperatures of 1112°F (600°C) or more and spark a catastrophic fire. Listings of these dangerous battery models were found to be advertised for sale in London, Manchester, Hull, Derbyshire, Southampton, Reading and more. 'We urgently need sellers to check if they are unknowingly passing on a dangerous e-bike battery,' said Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First. 'A single unit of this affected battery being sold online could put a household at serious risk.' So do you have one of the dangerous batteries in your e-bike? Here's how to check. According to the safety charity, the warning applies to two models of triangle-shaped e-bike batteries that are branded UPP (unit pack power). The affected model numbers – which can be found on a label attached to the edge of the battery – are U004 or U004-1. 'If you have one of these batteries, it's important that you stop using it immediately,' said Capanna. 'These two batteries have been subject to a withdrawal notice, which means they do not meet The General Product Safety Regulations 2005.' Thee models pose a serious risk of fire and can undergo a devastating process called 'thermal runaway' where the battery cells inside reach up to 1112°F (600°C), releases toxic gases and creates a ferocious fire that is almost impossible to extinguish. It's thought the offending models have an insufficient battery management system to prevent the battery entering thermal runaway. Already, fires across the country have been reported involving a UPP battery. In March, a home in Surrey was damaged after a converted bike caught fire while on charge, linked to an unknown model of UPP battery. The likes of Amazon and eBay have been notified about the faulty models but experts are worried they've been sold on Facebook Marketplace How to identify a faulty e-bike battery Consumers are being urged to check a black sticker that is often found on one of the outer sides of the triangular battery case displaying the model number of the battery. If the corresponding model number U004 or U004-1 number is displayed on the sticker consumers are urged to stop using the battery immediately. Government advice suggests those with the battery dispose of it safely by first checking with their local collection sites to ensure they cater for battery disposal. And in September 2023, a high-rise property in Coventry was devastated when a fire linked to a U004 model battery spread quickly. This incident in Coventry lead to a government withdrawal notice, published online in January 2024, which saw the battery removed for sale via various online distributors. The withdrawal notice was issued to Amazon, eBay and Chinese e-commerce site Alibaba, stating that the UPP battery posed a serious risk of fire. However, private listings of the battery were still being sold online on Facebook Marketplace, by private sellers in London, Manchester, Hull, Reading, Southampton and more. Meta, the company which owns Facebook, confirmed it had removed the listings as a precaution after Electrical Safety First raised its findings. But the experts are concerned that batteries already purchased are waiting to cause a catastrophe in buyers' homes. Electrical Safety First has been able to identify seven private listings of the UPP battery with model numbers of either U004 or U004-1. Worryingly, one battery for sale was described by the seller as being 'a little bit burnt' from being 'left near a radiator'. Serious concerns were raised about another 13 listings where an identical shaped triangular UPP branded battery was visible but where the model numbers were unable to be confirmed, due to a limited number of photos used in the product ad. These listings were also removed by Meta after being contacted by Electrical Safety First, but more soon followed. In a follow-up investigation, the charity found a further six listings of the battery for sale online where the charity was able to identify the model number, matching that of the Government warning (again these were removed by Meta). The findings comes as the Government's Product Regulation & Metrology Bill progresses through the House of Commons which seeks to address e-bike fires. Electrical Safety First is calling for new laws to prevent substandard batteries coming onto the market and being available online. 'The current rules governing online marketplaces are not fit for purpose, and new laws are urgently needed to protect shoppers from dangerous goods being sold on these platforms,' Capanna added. 'Whilst we're encouraged that the Bill will address e-bike fires, it's essential it tackles the issue head on,' Capanna added. 'Online marketplaces need to be legally responsible for ensuring they take steps to prevent dangerous goods being available on their sites. 'We also need tougher safety laws to ensure poor quality, e-bike batteries posing a fire risk don't enter the UK market.' 'That's why we're urging the Government to introduce new laws that will mandate that e-bike batteries must be independently certified as safe before being sold in the UK. 'At present, manufacturers can self-declare their batteries are safe – we want this to end. 'The fight against substandard batteries is not one we can afford to lose.' How does an e-bike work? Electric bikes have a motor and battery mounted on the frame, with a display attached to the handlebars to let you control how much assistance you want. So, as you're cycling along (you have to pedal to make the motor work) you can choose to increase the amount of power when you need it. Going up a steep hill, for example, or if you're tired towards the end of a journey. E-bikes can help you reach speeds of 15.5mph, although if you pedal faster, you can go faster. When the battery is low, simply remove it and connect to the mains to recharge it - times for this vary from three to six hours.
