E-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries which store a large amount of energy in a small space. So they must be stored and charged safely to reduce the risk of fire.
E-bike battery fires can occur from poor design, incorrect charging, or from damage to the battery. If the battery is ignited, it could lead to an explosive fire.
How to purchase an e-bike battery charger:
Due to the risk of fire and explosion associated with lithium-ion batteries, it's important to source a battery and charger that conforms to UK safety standards and has been tested.
- Only purchase from a reputable retailer – don’t buy from market stalls, social media or online marketplaces.
- If the original charger is not available, obtain a replacement from the original manufacturer. Counterfeit and substandard e-bike battery chargers can be deadly.
- Overcharging, over-discharging and charging the battery too quickly are some of the main causes of fires from lithium-ion batteries.
- Ensure your e-bike battery is a good quality – check for misspellings, bad translations and attempts to copy larger brands.
- Faulty electrical items will often be missing warranty cards and instructions.
- If there are no instructions included for charging safely, do not buy it.
- If you suspect that you have a sub-standard or faulty e-bike, stop using it immediately and report the fault to the manufacturer or retailer. You can also contact the Citizens Advice helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
An investigation by Electrical Safety First into e-bike battery chargers for sale on online marketplaces found major risks with some products.
A number of chargers didn’t contain a fuse, which means there would be no way for the charger to cut out in the event of a fault in the supply lead, leaving the consumer exposed to a serious risk of fire.
Other defects included problems with the plug. An incorrect plug is a sign that the charger has not been adequately tested to the necessary safety standards and therefore there is an increased risk of further hidden dangers. UK plugs must meet minimum dimension requirements to prevent electric shock.
The chargers found by Electrical Safety First had plugs that were visibly small in size, leaving the user exposed to electric shock if their fingers were to come into contact with the plug pins.
Using and charging your e-bike battery:
- Disconnect the battery and unplug the charger when the charge cycle is complete. Don’t leave items on charge continuously, e.g. overnight.
- Regularly check the condition of the battery and look for dents, deformation and signs of overheating. Stop using or charging the battery as soon as you notice any damage and replace it.
- Only use the charger supplied by the manufacturer.
- Charge your battery in a safe place, ensuring it does not block your escape routes if there is a fire.
- Avoid charging a battery close to combustible materials or hazardous substances.
- Avoid charging lithium-ion batteries where high temperatures or sunlight are likely.
- Avoid covering lithium-ion batteries while charging.
- Monitor the charging of your e-bike battery.
- Ensure you have adequate smoke/heat alarms to alert you if there is a fire.
- Ensure your home's electrical installation is up-to-date. It should have RCDs (residual current devices) fitted to switch off the power in the event of a fault.