My home was DESTROYED in a converted e-bike fire

Brits are being warned to think twice before buying e-bike conversions kits online, after a devastating fire linked to a modified, converted bike destroyed a family home less than a month into the New Year. 

The warning comes as research from consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, reveals that almost a quarter (23%) of UK push-bike owners surveyed, are considering turning their push-bike into an e-bike using a conversion kit1.  

A Government consultation is also imminent that will explore ways to tackle the issue of battery fires and potentially dangerous goods.  

Conversion kits are often more financially attainable for many as opposed to purchasing a fully manufactured e-bike, however substandard components making up these kits, often sold via online marketplaces, can cause catastrophic fires. 

Of those considering turning their push bike into an e-bike, worryingly, one in four (28%) say they would likely buy their kit from an online marketplace2, where unsafe and unregulated products sold by third-party sellers have been found to be widely available.  

Now, safety experts are urging shoppers to stick to reputable manufacturers and professional installers for conversion kits, warning that purchasing kits via online marketplaces could risk a “ticking time bomb” being brought into their home.  

The warning follows a fire in Surrey earlier this year where a modified push bike fitted with a conversion kit from an online marketplace exploded whilst charging, destroying a family’s home and leaving them homeless. 

Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Conversion kits can be a great way to upgrade your bike, but in reality, kits made up of substandard components can cause devastating fires. At present, technology has outpaced regulation meaning there are no existing safety standards for conversion kits, something we desperately need the government to change. Many of these kits sold via online marketplaces are incomplete, poorly made, or don’t include a battery and charger, meaning buyers have to shop for a compatible pair themselves, risking the chance of them buying a mismatch which can increase the risk of a fire. If you’re one of the many push bike owners considering converting your device, it’s vital you stick to a reputable manufacturer or retailer where you can be sure your kit will be made to a high standard and leave your bike legally road compliant.”   

What is a conversion kit? 

A conversion kit is a set of components that allows you to turn a normal push bike into an electrically powered device. 

Whilst conversion kits can be brought from reputable retailers and manufacturers, many are widely available through online marketplaces. 

Currently, there is no dedicated standard for conversion kits. Unlike a fully manufactured e-bike, a conversion kit is not a finished product, and in many cases, does not include all of the components required to safely build a complete e-bike.  

Many conversion kits available online do not include the battery or charger, essential components of any e-bike, and often the selection of a suitable battery and charger is left to the buyer, which can lead to substandard or incompatible products being purchased. 

Substandard or mismatched batteries and chargers can supply the battery with the wrong voltage, causing it to overheat and trigger a dangerous chemical reaction known as thermal runaway. 

Temperatures during thermal runaway can exceed 700°C, releasing toxic gases and chemicals, and can lead to severe damage, serious injuries or even death. 

To ensure a bike is converted into a road-legal and compliant e-bike, the motor should not exceed 250 watts continuous output power. The motor should also cut out once the device reaches a speed of 15.5mph. Conversion kits sold with motors exceeding 250 watts risk turning a push bike into a device that is breaking the law.  

Emma’s story 

Emma Wills, a mother of three from Chilworth in Surrey, knows all too well the devastating consequences a substandard converted bike can have. Earlier this year, a fire caused by a charging, modified, e-bike destroyed her family home, killed one of their beloved kittens and left her family homeless. 

“It was the last day of January when I received a call that stopped me in my tracks. I was told my house was on fire. I had gone away to Cornwall for the night and was out over lunch taking my dad to an appointment when a modified e-bike which was charging in my living room caught fire.” 

The bike, belonging to a family friend visiting Emma’s home, had recently been modified using a conversion kit brought from an online marketplace. “It hadn’t been on charge for long, no more than 20 minutes, but it went up so quickly and destroyed everything. It had exploded and left a hole in the living room floor, and the fire wrecked the kitchen and my bedroom. The house was so unsafe we couldn’t live there anymore. 

“The biggest upset for me was losing everything. I lost my mum in 2021, so all the memories and sentimental keepsakes I had of her are gone. They can never be replaced, and that breaks my heart. 

“I’ve always been aware of the risks of lithium-ion batteries because of having kids that are into those things. Most people assume it won’t happen to them, but it can, and in some cases, it will. 

“We had only moved into the house in August last year. To go from a fresh start to losing everything so quickly has been devastating. Our home insurance sadly only covered about 10% of what we lost, so we are having to slowly rebuild our lives. My advice to others would be check your policy carefully so you’re not left empty handed in the worst-case scenario. 

“It’s had a huge impact on my two youngest children. They don’t want to go out anymore. It doesn’t just affect one part of your life, it affects everything. 

“We also lost one of our kittens in the fire. We’d hand-reared them from four weeks old after their mum was sadly run over, so to lose one was heartbreaking, especially for the boys. 

“My advice to others would be think carefully about where you charge these products. If you can, charge them outside. Always read the reviews before you buy, I would have never done that before, but I do now, and make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable company.” 

Widespread issue across the country 

In 2024, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) received 170 reports of e-bike fires, with 45% (77) confirmed to be from converted e-bikes, although the actual number is expected to be much higher as not all fire and rescue services notify OPSS of fires involving consumer products. 

Calls for regulation 

Electrical Safety First has been at the forefront campaigning for stronger regulation of products that pose risks to the public if they are substandard – such as e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries. 

The charity is calling for stricter rules on conversion kits for e-bikes, including mandatory safety standards. 

The charity is also campaigning for online marketplaces to be held legally responsible for the safety of goods sold via their sites, having exposed hundreds of dangerous products across major platforms including Amazon, eBay, Wish, Tik Tok Shop, Temu and AliExpress over many years. 

At present, online marketplace operators are not recognised in law as actors in the supply chain, meaning they are not responsible for the safety of goods sold via their sites. 

Giuseppe Capanna said “With the Government’s critical consultation on tackling high risk and potentially dangerous products due this year, it is imperative it adequately tackles the complex issues surrounding lithium-ion battery fires. We urge the Government to introduce new mandated safety standards for conversion kits and charging systems, to reduce the risk posed by battery fires. Online marketplaces must also be better regulated, with new legal obligations introduced to prevent substandard products, which are often sold via third party sellers, entering people's homes,  Government is at a critical point where it must demonstrate it is willing to be bold and brave to protect the public from highly dangerous products.”