Treat e-bike batteries like fireworks, charity warns

E-bike batteries have caused hundreds of fires around the world, and led to eight fatalities in the UK last year (Picture: London Fire Brigade)

A charity is calling on the government to regulate e-bike batteries like fireworks or heavy machinery as fatal fires continue to occur across the country.

The Battery Breakdown report, from charity Electrical Safety First, says that current regulations are not enough to prevent catastrophic fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

In 2022, there were 116 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters in London, resulting in eight deaths.

On average, the London Fire Brigade has been called to an e-bike or e-scooter fire every two days.

At present, e-bikes, e-scooters and the batteries that power them are only required to be self-declared as conforming to safety standards by the manufacturer.

However, the report recommends that lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters should be added to the list of high-risk products that require mandatory third-party approval.

This would mean that all batteries would need to be tested and certified by an independent body before they could be sold on the UK market.

The report comes amidst growing concern over fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

Andrew Beaton’s family experienced the devastation of an e-bike fire after his son’s bike went up in smoke whilst it was charging underneath their staircase (Picture: Electrical Safety First)

The report also cites a case in Cambridge where three people died after an e-bike caught fire while it was being charged overnight.

‘The huge amount of energy that is released over time when a battery bursts into flames is unlike other fires – in a matter of minutes a room can be decimated,’ said Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First.

‘This unique type of fire requires special measures to tackle the increasing problem.’

The report also calls for a public awareness campaign about the risks of lithium-ion batteries.

A fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar amount of stored energy as the amount of TNT contained in 6 hand grenades, the charity estimates.

When thermal runaway occurs this large amount of energy is released over a longer period of time, mimicking an out-of-control explosive firework.

The government has been called to take action to improve the safety of e-bike batteries, citing New York City as an example where mandatory third-party approval for lithium-ion batteries has been introduced.

Andrew Beaton’s family experienced the devastation of an e-bike fire after his son’s bike went up in smoke while charging underneath their staircase.

‘If it wasn’t for my son, we wouldn’t be here,’ said Mr Beaton, from Lancaster.

‘He was up to get a drink at night and shouted to us after seeing the e-bike on fire. I sprinted downstairs, swung open the front door and threw the bike outside. In that moment, all the batteries fell out and were exploding like hand grenades.

‘I bought the e-bike online as a Christmas present for my son and now it will be costing us upwards of £50,000 in damages. I urge anyone thinking of buying these e-bikes not to – it’s not worth your life.’

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London Fire Brigade sees an e-bike fire every two days.