Whilst e-bikes and e-scooters offer a great way round the city, if the batteries become damaged or begin to fail they can start incredibly ferocious fires within seconds. So read on for top tips that will help you charging e-bikes safely.
On average there was a fire from a lithium battery in an e-bike or e-scooter every two days in 2023 in London.
The London Fire Brigade says the majority of fires related to e-bikes and e-scooter have happened in homes. These fires are often caused when charging batteries. This becomes an even bigger problem when these batteries are charged in communal areas or escape routes. If a fire breaks out, it can quickly block people’s ability to escape.
Many of these fires are caused by incompatible chargers, modifications to e-bikes, or faulty or counterfeit products which are purchased online. This includes chargers, lithium batteries and conversion kits for e-bikes.
London Fire Brigade’s #ChargeSafe campaign wants to prevent fires in e-bikes and e-scooters. They provide important and simple safety tips to reduce the risk of fire to protect you and your community.
ChargeSafe | London Fire Brigade
Charging your e-bike or e-scooter
London Fire Brigade advises you can reduce the risks when charging lithium batteries and charge e-bikes safely by:
- Only ever using the correct charger for your battery, otherwise you can greatly increase the risk of fire.
- Always buying any replacement chargers from a reputable seller.
- Using the wrong charger could mean that too much power is put into the battery, leading to failure and a dangerous fire.
- Always avoiding general ‘multi-plug’ chargers that fit different models unless specifically approved by the battery manufacturer, as they may give the wrong power for your battery and may greatly increase the risk of fire.
#ChargeSafe: How to charge e-bikes & e-scooters safely. | London Fire Brigade
Warning signs of a fire hazard battery
The warning signs your e-bike or e-bike battery is a fire hazard and your not charging e-bikes safely:
- Heat: It’s normal for batteries to generate some heat when charging or in use. However if your device’s battery feels extremely hot to the touch, there’s chance it’s defective and may start a fire
- Bulging: A battery bulging or swelling out of shape is a common sign of it failing. If your battery looks swollen, you should stop using it immediately. Similar signs include any type of lump or leaking from the device
- Noise: Failing lithium batteries have also been reported to make hissing or cracking sounds
- Smell: If you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery, this could also be a sign of it failing
- Performance: A failure to fully charge or an excessively longer charge times can be a sign that your battery is failing
- Smoke: If your battery or device is smoking, a fire has already started and you should get out, raise the alarm and call 999
#ChargeSafe: Warning signs for e-bike and e-scooter fires | London Fire Brigade
What you should do if your lithium battery is a fire risk
If your battery shows any of these signs of failing, immediately turn off the device and unplug it from the power source. Call the device manufacturer or retailer for further instructions.
If you’ve spotted the warning signs, make sure you report your faulty battery to your local Trading Standards office.
What to do if your lithium battery catches fire
If the device starts smoking or catches fire:
- Get out
- Raise the alarm and call 999 immediately
- Stay out and do not try to tackle the fire yourself
Disposing of a lithium battery
Lithium batteries should not be put in the same bins as your regular rubbish or recycling. If they get damage or overheat, they may cause it to catch fire. Every year the crushed batteries cause hundreds of fires every year in UK recycling centres, as well as bin and recycling lorries, more details read Reduce Fire Risks: Responsible Battery recycling
The manufacturer or importer of your e-cycle must offer a free take-back service for waste e-cycle battery packs. So return batteries to e-bike dealer you purchased the bike from. Many collect e-bike batteries in fireproof containers or rooms for future pickup by disposal companies. They will send the batteries for proper treatment and recycling. Call them or check online first to be sure that the dealer near you does in fact accept e-bike batteries.
Using your e-bikes or e-scooter
In 2021 Transport for London (TfL) banned e-scooters from London’s transport network. This is due to a number of fires on the network involving these vehicles. This means you’re unable to take your e-scooter on any TfL service. You can read TfL’s full guidance on e-scooters on their site.
Not all electric vehicles, such as e-scooters and e-unicycles are road legal in the UK. This means you can get a fine from the police for using them on the road in the UK. Always check to see if you can use your vehicle on public roads.
For electric bikes, you can ride one if you’re 14 or over, as long as it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC). You do not need a licence to ride an EAPC and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured. If your bike is an EAPC then you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. You cannot ride it on pavements. For full details see Riding an electric bike: the rules.
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