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.
