Getting ready for an adventure? Don’t let your ride go up in flames
How to use your e-bike and e-scooter safely
More and more people are using e-bikes and e-scooters to get active and travel more easily. They’re powered by lithium batteries which are used safely by lots of people every day, but they can pose a fire risk so it’s important to know the fire safety advice particularly when charging your battery. We’ve teamed up with the Office for Product Safety and Standards to let you know what to look out for to stay safe.
The warning signs
Before a lithium-ion battery catches fire, there may be warning signs that it’s about to fail. Smoke or a white vapour cloud can be the start of battery failure and a fire. If you see any of these signs you should take action straight away and stop using your battery:
- 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
If your battery is a fire risk, here’s what to do
If your battery shows any signs of failure, turn off the device and unplug it from the power source immediately. But if it’s smoking or catches fire, raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999 immediately.
You should report your faulty charger or battery to our consumer service. We can help you report it to Trading Standards and give you advice on your consumer rights. You can also call the device manufacturer or retailer for more advice.
Avoiding a fire
Most fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters have happened in homes, and often when charging batteries. You can reduce this risk by making sure you know how to charge your e-bike or e-scooter safely.
Don’t charge them in bedrooms or where escape routes can be blocked, like hallways and don’t charge it unattended, like when you are out or while you’re sleeping. Remember not to cover chargers or battery packs when charging, or 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’ve 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 an area with good ventilation.
Buying an e-bike or e-scooter safely
If you’re looking to buy an e-bike, e-scooter, chargers or batteries, make sure they’re from a reputable retailer and manufacturer. Check the product is marked with a CE or UKCA mark so you know that they comply with UK product safety standards. It’s a good idea to check product reviews before buying so you can see other peoples experiences too.
When you buy an e-bike or e-scooter, you can validate any warranties and make it easier for manufacturers to contact you by registering it. This is helpful in case there’s a safety issue or product recall. You can also check if products have been recalled by visiting the Product Recalls and Alerts website.
Keep it safe by always using the manufacturer-approved battery and charger, and follow the instructions for charging and using it. Check your e-bike or e-scooter regularly for damage or warning signs that your battery might be failing and becoming a fire risk.
If you need more advice or help, visit our consumer advice pages for more support. You can also contact our consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm). For more information on product safety you can visit gov.uk.
