Electric Bike
Products and appliances

E-bikes

E-bikes

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are popular, but e-bike batteries can be a severe fire risk if used, charged or sourced incorrectly. Be aware of the dangers, know where to purchase your e-bike or battery, and how to charge it safely. 

E-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries which store a large amount of energy in a small space. 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 fails, it could lead to an explosive fire. 

Asterisk

Key points

  • Only buy e-bikes, chargers and batteries from reputable retailers. 

  • Second-hand e-bike batteries and chargers can be a serious fire risk. 

  • Charge your battery in a safe place, ensuring no escape routes are blocked. 

  • Monitor the charging process and disconnect the charger when complete. 

Buying an e-bike battery charger

  • Only use the charger supplied by the manufacturer. If the original charger is lost or not available, get a replacement directly from the manufacturer or one approved by the manufacturer, not from market stalls, social media or third-party sellers on online marketplaces. 
  • It’s vitally important your battery and charger have been tested to conform to UK safety standards. Counterfeit and substandard e-bike batteries and chargers can be deadly.  
  • To check an e-bike or battery is good quality, look for misspellings and bad translations in the instructions, and attempts to copy larger brands. Substandard electrical items are often missing warranty cards and instructions. If there are no instructions included for charging safely, do not buy it. 
  • Register your e-bike, battery and charger so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall. It’s also much easier to return a faulty product or order a repair if it’s registered. 

Using and charging an e-bike battery

  • Charge the battery in a safe place, ensuring it does not block escape routes if there is a fire. 
  • It’s dangerous to charge a battery close to combustible materials or hazardous substances, or where high temperatures or sunlight are likely. 
  • Avoid covering lithium-ion batteries while charging. And monitor the charging of your e-bike battery, disconnect it, and unplug the charger when the charge cycle is complete.  
  • Leaving items on charge continuously or overnight is a fire risk. Overcharging, over-discharging, or charging the battery too quickly are some of the main causes of fires from lithium-ion batteries. 

ALWAYS

  • Use the original charger or go back to the manufacturer for a replacement. 
  • Register your e-bike, battery and charger with the manufacturer. 
  • Charge the battery in a safe place which doesn’t block any escape routes. 
  • Disconnect the battery and unplug the charger once fully charged. 
  • Ensure you have adequate smoke and heat alarms in your property. 

AVOID

  • Buying second-hand batteries and chargers or from third-party sellers online. 
  • Charging the battery close to combustible materials or in direct sunlight. 
  • Overcharging, over-discharging, or charging the battery too quickly 
  • Charging the battery continuously or overnight. 
  • Using or charging the battery if you spot any signs of damage. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check the battery

Regularly check the condition of the battery for dents, deformities, and signs of overheating. If you notice any damage, stop using and charging the battery immediately and replace it. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

Our own investigation into e-bike battery chargers for sale on online marketplaces found several didn’t contain a fuse, meaning the charger won’t cut out in the event of a fault in the supply lead, leaving the owner exposed to a serious risk of fire. 

They also had small plugs, exposing the user to electric shock if their fingers touch the plug pins. UK plugs must meet minimum dimension requirements to prevent electric shock. An incorrect plug is also a sign the charger hasn’t been adequately tested to the necessary safety standards, increasing the risk of further hidden dangers.  

If you suspect you have a sub-standard or faulty e-bike charger or battery, stop using it immediately and report the fault to the manufacturer or retailer. Or call the Citizens Advice helpline on 03454 04 05 06.  

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