Fire safety advice for battery-powered scooters and e-bikes

Below are fire safety considerations for battery-powered scooters and e-bikes.

Safe storage of scooters and e-bikes

• No e-bikes and scooters should be stored or charged in communal areas this can prevent the ability for you or others to use the escape route.
• You must charge your scooter e-bike in a safe, well-ventilated area where possible.
• You should only charge during the daytime. This is because if something goes wrong with the battery and there is a fire, there would be people awake to raise the alarm.
• Never leave your battery on charge continually as there is a potential to overheat.
• If a mobility scooter is involved in a fire, it can release large volumes of smoke, get very hot, and sometimes have a violent reaction. If they are stored on escape routes, including those in the home, escape routes to front or rear door, these could become impassable, in shared walkways/escape routes communal areas residents could be placed at significant risk in the event of a fire.

How should I store my electric bike & battery?

Your e battery should be stored in a totally dry area, away from combustible material in a temperature of between 0°C and 20°C. All manufacturers agree that the optimum storage temperature is a constant 10°C as the decomposition reactions slow, reducing the battery ageing rate.

Store the battery with a charge level between 40% and 80%

The average battery charge is 30 miles. Store the battery in a location that will not experience extreme temperatures (either hot or cold), such as an insulated garage or in your home. Store the battery in a dry location.

The battery should never be stored fully charged

Also they should not be stored fully drained. Both are hard on the battery and can decrease their life. You should check the battery every month and charge it back up to that 40-80% range if necessary.

How long can a lithium-ion battery sit unused?

If properly stored and maintained, average is around ten years shelf life.

How long can a sealed lead acid battery sit un-used?

If properly stored and maintained, most sealed lead acid batteries can sit on a shelf for about three years and should be expected to perform adequately for about another three years after they're put into use.

E-bike charging tips for longer battery life

• Charge a new electric bike battery for 12 hours
• Charge your e-bike battery regularly
• Avoid temperature extremes
• Don't overcharge an electric bike battery
• Don't store an empty battery.

Do E-bikes batteries overheat?

This is normal for any lithium battery. It is the nature of lithium batteries to decrease in efficiency as they heat up. If using a lithium-ion battery, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device. If a battery overheats, discontinue use immediately.

How do you prevent charging incidents from happening to your e-bike?

Avoid aftermarket and off-brand or bargain batteries for your bike, first of all. Stick to the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. Furthermore, e-bike batteries that are charging should never be left unattended. If you’re charging your e-bike in the garage, set a timer to remind yourself to unplug it when it’s done, and if you’re leaving the house, unplug it and finish charging it when you return.

Lithium battery fires

We’ve seen an increase in the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. See how you can use and store them safely to reduce your fire risk.

What is a Litium-ion battery?

They are the rechargeable batteries in electrical items such as mobile phones, laptops, e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-cigarettes. The device you’re reading on right now is probably powered by a lithium-ion battery.

What are the hazards?

These batteries are safe during normal use, but present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or damaged.

They are a main cause of waste fires and can be extremely dangerous when thrown away with general rubbish, or mixed with recyclable materials like card, metal and plastic. Lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and inherently flammable. These fires quickly spread and are hard to put out, causing a lot of damage.

Causes of battery fires

• Rapid overheating (a process called thermal runaway) leading to fire or explosion
• Overcharging – if you charge too long or with too much voltage, it can cause overheating and fires
• Damaged batteries - may release flammable electrolytes, increasing the risk of fire
• Exposure to high temperatures – high temperatures speed up battery ageing and increase the chance of battery failure.

Safety advice

• Keep batteries in a cool, dry place away from flammable materials and direct sunlight
• Recycle damaged or swollen batteries at designated recycling points
• Always use the charger supplied with the device or recommended by the manufacturer
• To prevent overcharging, use a charger that automatically shuts off or has a timer
• Never leave batteries unattended while charging and do not charge them overnight
• If a battery shows signs of swelling, overheating, or emitting smoke, safely remove it and report the incident to appropriate authorities.

How to store and charge lithium-ion batteries safely

Electric bikes and scooters are changing the way we travel, but if not used correctly, they come with risks including severe fires. E bikes and E scooters are powered by electric motors using lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries hold more energy than other batteries, but they must be stored and charged properly to reduce the risk of fire. A fire could start due to a substandard battery, charging the battery incorrectly or damage to the battery.

If one cell of a lithium-ion battery overheats, it can enter a state of thermal runaway which can quickly spread to other cells in the battery. This is an explosive chemical reaction similar to several fireworks going off at once. With such ferocity and intense heat, it cannot be put out easily.

Here's some advice to reduce the risks of a fire

• Buy your E bike or E scooter from a reputable retailer that you know and trust. If you need a replacement charger or battery, get it from the original manufacturer. Fake or substandard chargers can cause fires. Avoid buying from market stalls or from third party sellers on online marketplaces. There is no guarantee the product has been through Product Safety testing
• To charge your E bike or E scooter safely, follow the manufacturer's charging instructions and regularly check the battery and charger for damage
• Once charged, unplug the charger so you don't leave the battery on a continuous charge
• It's never a good idea to charge an electrical product overnight, especially ones containing lithium-ion batteries. Fires occurring at night when people are sleeping are particularly dangerous as your reaction time is massively reduced
• Don't charge your E bike or E scooter in an exit route like a hallway, landing or stairwell. If a fire breaks out, it can block your ability to escape
• Don't try to modify your battery pack as these modifications can cause fires. So, charge batteries in a safe place from a socket that is RCD protected, and in an area with working smoke alarms.

An RCD is a lifesaving device designed to prevent fatal electric shock if you touch something live. They can be plugged into a wall socket, be part of the wall socket, or added to your fuse box.

• Charge, preferably outside, in an enclosed space like a detached garage, shed or a designated charging area for high rise flats. If you cannot avoid charging indoors, make sure you don't do it in an escape route. This is particularly important in shared housing and high-rise flats
• Avoid charging batteries in strong sunlight or anywhere there is a high temperature or flammable materials.

Converting pedal bikes into E bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous and pose a higher risk of fires as they may not be safe. If you want to convert your bike, go to a reputable retailer and have it fitted by a professional.

If your battery catches fire, do not attempt to put it out yourself, get out and call the fire service.

If you follow these tips, you can enjoy your E bike or E scooter while keeping yourself, your neighbours and your loved ones safe.

What to do if there is a fire

• Don’t tackle the fire yourself
• If you can, get out, stay out and call 999
• If you can’t dial 999 yourself, get a neighbour to do it for you
• If you can’t get out, go into a room that has a window and a phone and shut the door
• Put blankets or towels around the bottom of the door to block out the smoke, then open the window and call ‘Help Fire’
• Keep a whistle handy if it’s hard to shout.