- Christmas shoppers seeking conversion kits and e-bike batteries urged to stick to reputable retailers
- Ehsia Johnson-Mall remembers her loving sister Natasha and her friend, Karlo, one year on from a fire caused by a modified e-bike that claimed their lives
- Charity renews its calls for Government to introduce new laws to tackle e-bike battery fires and dangerous electricals sold via online marketplaces
A heartfelt plea has been issued to the public ahead of Christmas, urging shoppers to beware of the dangers posed by modified or converted e-bikes, and the components for them, sold through online marketplaces.
The warning comes one year on from a tragic fire that claimed the life of Ehsia Johnson-Mall’s sister, Natasha, Natasha’s friend Karlo and their two beloved dogs, Tyagi and Medusa, when the battery of a self-converted e-bike caught fire whilst on charge overnight.
It is believed the battery attached to the converted bike was purchased via a private seller on an online marketplace.
New research by the charity Electrical Safety First shows just under one in ten Brits (9%) are considering purchasing an e-bike, e-scooter or conversion kit this Christmas.
Now, ahead of Christmas, Ehsia and Electrical Safety First are pleading with those considering purchasing conversion kits and e-bike batteries, to stick to reputable high street retailers and to avoid doing any such modification themselves.
“I would do anything to have just one second with her, just so I could tell her that she’s going to be an auntie. And just give her a kiss and a cuddle and say I love you,” says Ehsia as she recounts the impact the loss of her sister has had on her one year on from the fatal fire in Coventry.
“Natasha would have been so scared, and that’s how she spent the last living moments of her life. That’s what makes me feel heartbroken. Karlo had no clue his converted e-bike posed this sort of danger. They both loved each other very much. They were so lovely together. Karlo was so patient with Natasha and Natasha was so authentic and thoughtful.”
“These are fires that are so fast acting, they consume your whole environment within seconds, and the fumes and toxicity that the fire projects are lethal. I think people think that if you can buy a battery from a well-known marketplace that it must be okay. Externally a product might appear safe but that might not be true. I also can’t stress enough that you make sure your charger and battery are compatible. Something as simple as a mismatch in battery and charger can be devastating.” Ehsia adds.
Electrical Safety First is also warning buyers not to install conversion kits or modify their bike themselves.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “With the biggest spending season in full swing in the lead up to Christmas one well intentioned purchase could leave you at risk. Substandard e-bike batteries and poorly made conversion kits can pose a unique threat, unlike other products, because of how much energy is stored in the batteries. If they are substandard or fail, the fires can be so powerful they can decimate a room in seconds. If you’re thinking of buying components to make up an e-bike, it’s imperative you stick to a reputable source and don’t convert your bike yourself, seek out a professional.”
One year on from the fire, Ehsia is bravely warning others to consider the risks this Christmas. Ehsia said: “It's important for people to understand there are reasons why certain products cost so much money, and it’s because they must go through rigorous safety testing. If you can’t afford a proper well-made e-bike, simply don’t have one. My life will never be the same because my sister is no longer here.”
Renewed calls for tough new laws
Electrical Safety First is continuing to urge the Government to bring in new laws to tackle the growing risk of battery fires in e-bikes and e-scooters, with recent predictions indicating London is on course for a record number of incidents this year.
Electrical Safety First wants online marketplaces to be made legally responsible for the safety of goods sold through their sites. At present, these platforms are not consistently recognised as actors in the traditional supply chain, so they carry no clear legal duty for product safety.
The charity is calling on the Government to introduce robust legislation that places full responsibility on online marketplaces to ensure the goods they sell are safe.
Previous investigations by the charity have also found unsafe e-bike chargers and batteries for sale via online marketplaces, exposing shoppers to serious risk of fire and shock.
Following the newly introduced Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, which provides a framework for new powers, a key Government consultation on secondary legislation is expected to be published in the new year. The effectiveness of the new powers will depend on this secondary legislation, which it is hoped will tackle e-bike battery fires and online marketplaces.
The charity also wants to see a designated safety standard for conversion kits introduced, something that currently does not exist.
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