E-Bike and E-Scooter Fires Surge: UK Faces Safety Crisis
LONDON – October 27, 2024 – The United Kingdom is grappling with a surge in e-bike and e-scooter fires, igniting serious safety concerns across the nation. Data reveals that fire services responded to a record number of incidents in 2024, marking a concerning trend with many occurring in London. The increasing risks, notably those linked to lithium-ion batteries, warrant immediate attention from experts and government officials, who are implementing new safety measures-read on.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Fires Surge in the UK: A Growing Safety Crisis
A record number of fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters plagued the United Kingdom last year, sparking renewed concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Government figures reveal a concerning trend: fire services responded to 211 such incidents in 2024. While this represents a slight increase from 207 in 2023,it marks a dramatic escalation from just two recorded incidents in 2017.
London: The Epicenter of E-Mobility Fires
London remains the UK’s hotspot for these incidents,accounting for 175 reported fires in 2024 alone. The London Fire Brigade has issued stark warnings, highlighting the growing danger these devices pose, especially those that have been modified.
Ebikes and e-scooters – particularly those that have been modified – are one of London’s fastest growing fire risks.
The brigade reported responding to multiple serious incidents recently, including a fire on the eighth-floor balcony of a tower block in Battersea and a house fire in Hackney that forced five residents to flee in the early hours. Firefighters tackled approximately 10 separate e-bike-related fires within a mere five-day period.
Fatal Consequences: The Human Cost
The consequences of these fires can be devastating.Government data indicates that e-bike-related fires resulted in eight fatalities in 2024. Tragic incidents underscore the severity of the risk.
In december, a coroner cautioned against the life-threatening dangers of charging e-bikes indoors following the death of 8-year-old Luke Albiston O’Donnell in Merseyside. The fire originated from an e-bike’s charging lithium battery.
Another heartbreaking case in Coventry involved a fire caused by an e-bike battery,claiming the lives of Natasha Johnson-Mall and Karlo Bogdan,along with their two dogs.
Where and How Fires Ignite
Nearly half of the fires reported in 2024 ignited inside homes,frequently in bedrooms,kitchens,or corridors. Just over a third started outdoors, including in gardens, balconies, or sheds. In almost all cases, the battery or generator was identified as the source of the fire.
Government Response and Legislative Concerns
The UK government has introduced new legislation aimed at regulating the sale of e-bikes and similar products. though, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill has faced criticism for not explicitly addressing the threat posed by lithium-ion batteries.
Liberal Democrat MP Clive Jones voiced his concerns in the House of Commons:
there remains no reference in the bill to lithium-ion batteries, despite the real and growing harm they cause.
Justin Madders, a parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Business and Trade, responded:
While I fully recognize the concerns raised about batteries, the bill does not and should not single out individual product types. At this stage, we are actively exploring what regulatory changes might make the greatest difference on lithium-ion batteries.
Understanding the Risks: Expert Insights
The British Safety Council emphasizes the potential dangers of lithium-ion battery malfunctions:
Lithium-ion battery failures are relatively rare, but in the event of a malfunction, they can represent a serious fire risk.
British Safety Council
They further explain the process leading to a fire:
If a battery degrades, gets hot, or suffers a short circuit, heat and pressure build up inside.
British Safety Council
Warning signs of a potential battery failure include:
- Bulging or swelling
- Discharging too fast
- Battery being hot to the touch
Government Actions and Public Safety Campaigns
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and trade stated that the government takes the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries very seriously.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the UK’s national product regulator, is actively working to remove unsafe products from the market.The government has also pledged to update product safety laws and enhance enforcement at ports to prevent the entry of perilous imports.
The government supports the Buy safe,Be Safe campaign,which encourages consumers to purchase e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable retailers and to use approved chargers.
