E-bike battery safety research gives tips on staying safe

As e-bikes and e-scooters become more popular, safety concerns around their lithium-ion batteries are growing. In 2023 alone, almost 200 fires involving these products were reported in the UK, leading to 10 fatalities. However, it's important to keep things in perspective - 100,000 cars go up in flames every year resulting in the death of around 100 people. That's nearly 300 vehicles fires every day. With an estimated two million e-bikes in the UK, the risk of battery fire is extremely low. Danger increases when using cheap batteries or chargers and incompatible equipment.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) commissioned Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) to investigate the risks linked to e-bike and e-scooter batteries, chargers, and aftermarket conversion kits.

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Why can Lithium-Ion batteries be risky?

The majority of people in the UK use lithium-ion batteries without incident every day. After all, our smartphones all have them. However, if they overheat, they can cause fires. Issues can arise from overcharging from using incompatible batteries and chargers. The new research by WMG looked at how these failures happen and tested products under controlled conditions to better understand the risks.

What did the research find?

WMG’s investigation revealed several safety concerns:

• Product Design and Quality: Some e-bike batteries are poorly designed or built with low-quality components.

• Misuse and compatibility: Using mismatched batteries and chargers significantly increases the risk of failure.

• Lack of standards and regulation: Safety standards vary widely, and some products sold in the UK don’t meet basic safety requirements.

The research also highlighted that many users are unaware of safe charging practices or the risks of using third-party accessories.

What’s being done about it?

OPSS is now using this research to inform new safety regulations and consumer advice. This includes:

• Stricter regulations: Developing new safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters.

• Product recalls and safety warnings: Since 2022, 21 product recalls and 29 safety reports have been issued for unsafe or non-compliant e-bikes and e-scooters.

• Consumer awareness: The ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ campaign encourages users to buy from reputable sellers, use manufacturer-approved parts, and follow safe charging guidelines.

Stay safe

• Only buy from trusted sellers and avoid cheap, unbranded batteries or chargers.

• Use the charger recommended by the manufacturer - mixing and matching is risky.

• Charge your e-bike in a safe place, away from flammable materials, and never leave it charging overnight.

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E-bike fire risk advice

The greatest risk of e-bike fires stems from poor quality electric bicycles, chargers and batteries sold by disreputable dealers. E-bike conversion kits that have not been installed by a professional, and mismatching batteries and chargers also increase any risk.

The UK government recommends these five steps when buying and charging your e-bike:

• Only buy an e-bike, e-scooter, charger or battery from a known seller and check any product reviews
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and using e-bikes or e-scooters
• Not all e-bike or e-scooter batteries and chargers are compatible or safe when used together. Check and only use the manufacturer’s recommended battery or charger
• Always charge in a safe place without blocking exits and always unplug your charger when you have finished charging
• Never attempt to modify or tamper with your battery

Lithium ion battery safety

Most of us already use lithium ion batteries in devices such mobile phones, laptops and cordless tools, and do so safely. Most of the fire risk occurs with products that don't conform with the CE or UKCA mark, or mixing and matching batteries and chargers. E-bike are no different.

Before a lithium-ion battery catches fire, there may be warning signs. Stop using or charging your battery immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Excessive heat, or smoke
• Swelling or leaks
• Hissing or cracking sound
• A strong or unusual smell
• A sudden deterioration in performance

If the charger or battery starts smoking or catches fire, raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999 immediately.

Charging e-bike batteries

The fire service has the following advice on how to charge e-bike batteries:

• 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.

Insurance for e-bikes

We cover all road-legal electric bicycles as standard. If the output of your electric bicycle does not exceed 250 W/15.5 mph, we’ll cover it and also include Cycle Rescue as standard. If your e-bike develops a mechanical fault, puncture, or even a flat battery, you can call on our breakdown team 24/7.

Every ETA cycle insurance policy includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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