Charging your e-bike and e-scooter safely
The battery in your e-bike or e-scooter could be putting you and others at risk
The London Fire Brigade says e-bikes and e-scooters are London’s fastest growing fire risk.
In 2023, there was two e-bike or e-scooter related fires in Tower Hamlets every month.
Signs that an e-bike or e-scooter may catch on fire
- Your battery is very hot to touch
- A bulging, swelling or out of shape battery
- Any type of lump
- The charger is leaking
- A hissing or crackling sound
- A strong unusual smell
- Smoke coming from the battery
Signs that a battery is potentially unsafe and/or not compliant can include
- Packaging that doesn’t have the name or address of the UK importer on it
- Safety instructions that have been poorly written and/or translated
- A plug that is not dimensionally large enough
Safe buying advice
- Buy from a reputable UK seller
- Buy any replacement parts from the same reputable seller you bought your e-bike or e-scooter from (online marketplaces may not meet the correct safety standards)
- Beware when buying from online marketplaces – always research the individual seller
- Look for the CE/UKCA marks on the packaging.
London Fire Brigade’s charging advice
Prevent fires and protect lives, keep yourself and others safe by following the London Fire Brigade’s advice:
- Never charge while you are asleep or not around
- Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
- Always use the correct charger for your batteries and buy any replacements from a reputable seller
- Never block your fire escape route with e-bikes or e-scooters
- In the event of a fire, call 999, never try to fight the fire yourself
Learn how you can keep yourself and others safe with more tips from London Fire Brigade.
How to dispose of unsafe batteries
You must not discard of unsafe batteries in your domestic waste bins - lithium batteries have caused fires in rubbish lorries in the past, they can be extremely dangerous and put our staff at risk.
Please take all batteries to the Reuse and Recycling Centre at Northumberland Wharf.
