Posted on 06 July 2023
Please remember when charging e-bikes and e-scooters at home, you do so safely to avoid the risk of a fire starting, putting you, your home and neighbours’ homes at risk.
E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular. Most are powered by lithium-ion batteries and fire services and fire investigators have already seen a rise in e-bike and e-scooter battery fires.
Firefighters have been called to more than 130 fires involving the type of batteries used in in e-bikes and e-scooters in London in just over a year.
Batteries can ‘explode’ and lead to a rapidly developing fire. The incorrect disposal of lithium-ion batteries in general household and recycling waste can also lead to significant waste fires.
Andrew Ray, our Head of Fire Safety and Delivery said:
“We’re not preventing our customers from owning e-bikes or e-scooters, but asking that you don’t charge them in communal areas. Lithium batteries can fail catastrophically. They’re prone to overheating if incorrectly charged and they can ‘explode’ and/or lead to a rapidly developing fire.
“It’s vital that when charging e-bikes and e-scooters, you do so safely to avoid the risk of a fire starting. Simple advice like always unplugging your chargers when it’s finished charging and not leaving batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from home, could literally save lives.”
Also, remember that storing or charging e-bikes and e-scooters on escape routes or in communal areas is not permitted. If there’s a fire, it can affect people’s ability to escape.
Please follow our advice for safe charging and storage for e-bikes and e-scooters.
Watch this footage from the London Fire Brigade on an e-scooter battery explosion.