'Unmonitored lithium batteries are a major environmental and safety hazard,' AIA warns

BEIRUT — The Association of Representatives of Global Automotive Manufacturers in Lebanon (AIA) warned of the growing risks associated with the "unregulated handling of electric and hybrid vehicles," a statement by AIA, relayed by the state-run National News Agency reported Friday.

The AIA emphasized that these vehicles "must be monitored by qualified experts in strict accordance with manufacturer specifications. This includes equipping garages with the appropriate tools, training certified technicians, performing regular maintenance, and replacing damaged batteries through manufacturer-designated channels. In the parallel market, where such technical standards are often ignored, the environmental and safety risks are real and pressing."

The Association called on the Lebanese government to establish a "specialized regulatory authority to oversee the storage and handling of damaged lithium batteries. Recycling for this type of battery is currently unavailable in Lebanon, and illegal disposal or burial poses serious dangers to both public safety and the environment." The AIA also urged that "Civil Defense equipment and training be upgraded to safely handle fires caused by lithium batteries, which can explode if ordinary firefighting methods are used."

Expressing concern over more than three years of market chaos, the AIA criticized the lack of a clear mechanism to enforce Article 5 of the Competition Law, which is meant to protect consumers from "importing vehicles through unauthorized entities." As a result, many consumers are left "without manufacturer warranties or the technical updates needed to ensure their safety and that of their vehicles," AIA concluded in its statement.