E-Bike and e-scooter Battery Warning
Christmas 2023 is almost upon us and people don’t have much longer to wait to see what presents they will receive. One item that will feature on many a wish list is an e-bike or e-scooter. The number of people using e-bikes and e-scooters is rapidly growing due to the fact they are environmentally friendly and enable the rider to go farther and faster with less effort than a traditional bike or walking. On an e-bike the rider must still pedal therefore still getting a cardiovascular workout.
An electric bike, better known as an e-bike, is simply a bicycle that has been fitted with an electric motor to aid the rider with pedalling. It can be purpose built or a conversion kit can be attached to an ordinary bike to convert it.
E-bikes and e-scooters are mostly supplied with a rechargeable Lithium battery which takes two to eight hours to charge, depending on the technology used. The battery can be charged on or off the bike or scooter.
Lithium batteries are used safely by millions of people every day as they are high power, high energy, light weight, fast charging and long lasting. Unfortunately, they can also be very flammable and explode or catch fire if they get damaged, are defective in design, used improperly, abused or charged with a charger not intended for the device.
According to statistics released by London Fire Brigade (LFB) at the start of December 2023, in London alone this year they have dealt with 150 e-bike fires and 28 e-scooter fires, making them “the capital’s fastest-growing fire trend”. In the second week of December LFB attended a fire in the early hours of the morning at a three-storey house where two people had become trapped due to a charging e-bike catching fire at the bottom of a staircase, blocking their escape route. One had to jump from a second-floor window, sustaining a serious injury, whilst the other jumped from a first-floor window, also sustaining an injury. It took 40 firemen from 6 engines almost two hours to bring the fire under control. The house was mostly destroyed.
Charlie Pugsley, Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety at LFB said: “This was a devastating fire that has destroyed a home and is a prime example of why the brigade has been running its #ChargeSafe awareness campaign.
“If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, do not store or charge it on an escape route such as a hallway.
“If you can’t keep it outside, put it in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire.”
“From our investigations, we know many of the fires we’ve attended have involved second-hand vehicles, the use of incorrect chargers, or the bike has been modified using parts bought online.
“If you’re thinking about buying one of these vehicles as a gift for a loved one for Christmas, please make sure you’re buying it, or parts for them – like batteries, conversion kits or chargers – from a reputable seller.
“If you receive one for Christmas, or you already own an e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you’re using the correct charger, you’re not overcharging, and that you don’t tamper with or modify the battery pack.
“Keep it well away from an escape route and store or charge the vehicle outside if possible.”
London Fire Brigade say three people have died and around 60 people have been hurt in e-bike battery fires this year. New York City Fire Department has also seen a rise in fires caused by these batteries. quoting 243 fires, with 124 injuries and 17 deaths. In September, in an attempt to stop the numbers rising further, New City banned the sale of e-bikes that have not been certified to a specific safety standard.
The warning signs your e-bike or e-scooter battery is a fire hazard
The following is taken from the gov.uk website:
Before a lithium-ion battery catches fire, there may be warning signs that it is about to fail. If you see any of these signs you must take action immediately and stop using your battery to stay safe and reduce the risk of fire.
In September 2023 the Office for Product Safety and Standards, OPSS, for the United Kingdom published the following consumer safety on e-bike and e-scooter battery safety
A fire can develop quickly, within a few seconds, and often without warning. Formation of smoke or a white vapour cloud indicate the start of battery failure and fire. Listed below are other signs that your battery is a fire hazard.
You must stop using or charging your battery immediately if you notice any of the following:
Overheating: If your device’s battery feels extremely hot to the touch
Deformation: If your battery looks swollen. Similar signs include any type of lump or leaking from the device.
Noise: If your battery is making hissing or cracking sounds.
Smell: If you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery
Performance: If your battery does not fully charge or is taking longer to charge than normal
Smoke: If your battery or device is smoking.
What you must do if your lithium-ion battery is a fire risk
If the device starts smoking or catches fire, raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999 immediately.
If your battery shows any signs of failure, turn off the device and unplug it from the power source immediately.
Call the device manufacturer or retailer for further advice.
Ensure you report your faulty charger or battery to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. They can also provide you with advice on your consumer rights.
How to reduce the risk of fires from your e-bikes or e-scooters’ lithium battery
The majority of fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters have happened in homes. These fires often happen when charging batteries. There are several ways you can reduce the risk of fire when charging your e-bike or e-scooter battery in the home.
Safely charging your e-bike or e-scooter
Don’t charge e-bikes and e-scooters in bedrooms or where escape routes can be blocked – for example, hallways.
Don’t leave your battery charging unattended, when you are out or while you are asleep.
Don’t cover chargers or battery packs when charging
Don’t overload sockets or use inappropriate extension leads
Don’t charge or store batteries in direct sunlight or in hot locations (above 45⁰C)
Don’t charge batteries close to combustible materials or hazardous substances.
Always unplug your charger when you have finished charging
If your battery can be removed from your e-bike or e-scooter and charged separately, it should be charged on a hard flat surface where heat can disperse and in area with good ventilation.
Fire Safety
· Fit smoke alarms in the area where you charge your batteries and test them once a month to make sure they work.
· Make sure you and your family have an escape plan in place in the event of a fire. Always get out then call 999, never try to fight the fire yourself.
Maintaining your e-bike or e-scooter
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and using your product.
Always use the manufacturer-approved battery and charger.
If you need a replacement battery or charger for your e-bike or e-scooter go directly back to the manufacturer or retailer you bought it from to ensure it’s safe.
Regularly inspect your product and check for damage or warning signs that your battery might be failing and becoming a fire risk.
Don’t attempt to modify or tamper with your battery.
Buying e-bikes and e-scooters
Only buy e-bikes, e-scooters, chargers and batteries from reputable retailers and manufacturers.
Check the product is marked with a CE or UKCA mark to ensure they comply with UK product safety standards.
Check product reviews before buying
Register your product with the manufacturer to validate any warranties and make it easier for manufacturers to contact you in the event of a safety issue e.g. product recall.
Check if products have been recalled by visiting the government Product Recalls and Alerts website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-recalls-and-alerts
E-Bike conversion kits
· Conversion kits change standard bicycles into e-bikes.
· It is recommended that a professional carries out an e-bike conversion. They will be responsible for ensuring that the e-bike is safe and fitted with the correct motor, battery and charger.
· Installing a conversion kit yourself could lead to safety issues with your e-bike and increase the risk of fire.
· Furthermore, it could invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty and make you responsible for any consequent damage or accident. If you modify an e-bike to increase its power or speed then it may no longer be legal to use on public roads
Disposing of a lithium-ion battery
· Lithium-ion batteries should not be placed in the same bins as your regular rubbish or recycling. They can cause a fire if they overheat or when crushed in bin lorries or waste and recycling plants.
· You can find out how to dispose of your lithium-ion battery safely by checking your local authority's website for information about the safe disposal of batteries in your area or you can find your nearest recycling centre at: www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk
Using your e-bikes or e-scooter
· Currently, in the UK only e-scooters participating in official rental e-scooter trials may be used legally on roads. Other e-scooters are classed as Powered Transporters and cannot be used legally on the road. If you use an e-scooter illegally, you could face a fine and penalty points on your licence, and the e-scooter could be impounded.