E-scooters, e-bikes and mobility aids otherwise known as portable electric vehicles (PLEVs) are battery operated devices used as a means of leisure or for many people a really useful way of travelling. Many fires related to e-bikes and scooters have occurred within the home, these fires often happen when charging the batteries.
We want to help you identify these risks and hopefully prevent a fire.
The main fire risk is the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery used to charge these appliances. There is a heightened risk of explosion because of something called a ‘thermal runway’ where internal temperatures of the battery continue to increase making it unstable.
Lithium is a highly flammable and particularly dangerous substance because when it is overcharged, or overheated batteries rapidly overheat, release toxic fumes, and ignite, causing intense fires that are hard to extinguish. The high energy density allows them to burn at temperatures over 700°C–1000°C.
E-bikes and e-scooters are not the only appliances which use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. They are also found in mobility aids, mobile phones, power-packs, laptops, children’s toys, power tools and e-cigarettes.
Here are some tips to reduce the risk of a fire:
NEVER
- In the event of a fire involving an e-bike, e-scooter or lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery NEVER attempt to tackle it yourself. It is important to remember water isn’t effective at extinguishing a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery fire and can actually make it worse – Get out, stay out, and call 999.
- Never leave your appliance charging overnight or when you are away from the property – always keep it in sight.
- Don't charge batteries or store your e-bike or e-scooter near combustible or flammable materials.
- Don’t charge e-bikes and e-scooters in bedrooms or where escape routes can be blocked – for example, hallways.
- Don’t attempt to modify or tamper with your battery.
- 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.
ALWAYS
- Buy e-bikes and e-scooters, chargers and batteries from reputable retailers. Register your product with the manufacturer and check the product isn’t subject to a product re-call.
- Always use the manufacturer approved charger for the product, and if you spot any signs of wear and tear or damage buy an official replacement charger for your product from a reputable seller.
- Make sure you charge your appliance in a well-ventilated area and do not cover the battery.
- When charging always follow the manufacturers instructions and unplug your charger when it has finished charging.
- Always ensure you have working smoke alarms, especially in the area where you are charging your lithium battery.
AVOID
- Avoid storing or charging e-bikes or e-scooters on escape routes or in communal areas of multi-occupancy buildings. If there is a fire, it can affect people’s ability to escape.
CONSIDER
- 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.
REMEMBER
Please remember, when disposing of a lithium battery, this can’t be done in your household waste – you must take the battery to a household refuse and recycling plant or contact your local authority for more information.
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.
More information can be found at http://www.batteryfiresafety.co.uk
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