Lithium-ion batteries: fire safety advice for e-bikes, e-scooters and mobility scooters

E-bikes and e-scooters use lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries. This type of battery has been linked to serious building fires. Li-ion batteries are also used in mobility scooters and mobile phones.

You can reduce the risk of fire from li-ion batteries by following these guidelines. These are based on expert advice from the National Fire Chiefs Council. These measures could give you vital extra time and a safe route to get out if the battery ignites.

How to charge 

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Only ever use the charger supplied by or approved by the manufacturer. Check that it’s in good working order.
• Once the battery is charged, unplug it.
• Look for warning signs when handling the battery: swelling, high heat, colour change, corrosion or an inability to hold charge are all signs of poor battery health. These will increase risk of failure while charging.  

Where to charge

• Charge batteries inside your home and away from the means of escape out of your home.
• Charging should take place in a room where no one sleeps, ideally furthest away from your front door.
• Charging should only be done in a room where there’s a working smoke detector, linked to the others within the home.
• If that room is close to your front door and there isn’t another exit from your home, consider a fire door and keep that door closed when charging.
• Keep the battery away from anything that could catch fire. Don’t cover or smother the battery or charger.

When to charge 

• It’s always best to charge when people are awake. In reality, this isn’t always possible. That’s why these measures are so important: especially that the door to the room where you’re charging is closed at night.

The government has also shared some useful advice about things to think about and check when buying an e-bike or scooter to help reduce the risk of fire.

Why are li-ion so risky?

Li-ion batteries burn in very different ways to conventional combustible items. They give off an extreme and rapidly developing heat which radiates quickly. This can cause other materials to combust far more quickly than in a normal house fire.

Li-ion batteries can also explode. Even when extinguished, they can re-ignite.

Please get in touch by following this link, if:

• You’re concerned that someone is keeping or charging anything that uses a li-ion battery in the communal areas where you live.
• You own a mobility scooter and need help storing and charging this safely.

Thanks for helping us to keep your home safe.