With a predicted 400,000 Brits expected to buy an e-bike this year, business insurer QBE is warning Christmas shoppers to purchase from reputable retailers as e-bike fires are four times more likely to be caused by cheap unregulated imports of bikes and batteries.
The number of fires caused by e-bikes is increasing, as QBE research reveals UK fire services tended to 70% more e-bike fires and 7% more e-scooter fires in 2023 than 2022.
QBE research on fires linked to lithium-ion batteries attended to by UK fire services:
Many incidents arise from the use of incompatible batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters, along with defective or substandard components sourced from unauthorised online vendors. Retailers are taking note, with online retailer E-Bay recently announcing only eligible business sellers are able to list e-bikes and e-bike batteries on its UK platform.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) recently launched the "Buy Safe, Be Safe" campaign advising consumers to avoid rogue online sellers and prioritise safe purchases.
QBE advises consumers to check for a CE mark, signifying a product complies with regulated standards and is less likely to pose risks such as overheating or electrical malfunctions.
Adrian Simmonds, Practice Leader for Property Risk Solutions at QBE Insurance says: “The sharp increase in fires linked to uncertified e-bikes and e-scooters is deeply concerning and consumers need to be aware when buying this Christmas.”
“The lithium-ion batteries used in these products frequently lack essential safety certifications, leaving consumers unaware of potential fire hazards. While we fully endorse the shift towards electric transport, the rapid adoption of lithium-ion batteries has outpaced existing regulatory frameworks. We support the DBT’s proposed Product Regulation and Metrology Bill and advocate for third-party safety certification to address these pressing safety concerns.”
“Unlike regular fires, lithium-ion fires burn with greater intensity and pose a heightened risk of injury and property damage. For those purchasing e-bikes or e-scooters this festive period, we strongly recommend prioritising safety by selecting certified products from reputable retailers.”
Lithium-ion fires result from a process known as “thermal runaway”, in which batteries undergo irreversible overheating, typically triggered by impact damage, overcharging or excessive heat. This process generates intense heat, causing the battery to degrade and release flammable gases, which can ignite and lead to fires or explosions that spread rapidly and are difficult to extinguish. Once thermal runaway begins, it cannot be reversed.
QBE’s recommendations for safe use and purchasing of e-bikes and e-scooters:
- · Purchase from a reputable retailer.
- · Check for safety certifications such as the CE mark which indicates compliance with European safety standards. UL-certified batteries are also an indicator of quality and safety.
- · If the original charger is unavailable, get a replacement directly from the manufacturer. Counterfeit and substandard chargers can be extremely dangerous.
- · Plug the charger into a power supply that has circuit breaker protection.
- · Charging should preferably be done in a well-ventilated area outdoors and away from direct sunlight or a heat source.
- · Don’t charge your device in the hall or corridors of your tower block or office building: these common areas will almost always be part of the fire escape route.
- · If you must charge indoors, choose a room without soft furnishings, like a kitchen or preferably a locked garage, shed or external cupboard that doesn’t contain the gas/electric meter or any combustibles such as BBQ gas cylinders, garden furniture or cardboard boxes.
- · Make sure there is a working smoke detector or at least a heat detector.
- · Don’t leave devices charging when you’re asleep or when there’s no-one is in attendance.
- · Unplug devices once fully charged.
- · If the battery suffers heavy impact or any physical damage, such as in an accident or fall, consider that it might be damaged, and the fire risk increased.
Businesses that make, use or sell lithium-ion devices need to be aware of what that technology entails and the associated fire hazards, for more information read the latest resilience report by QBE here.
The QBE report highlights the serious safety risks that these batteries can pose and the sharp increase in fires and explosions linked to lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are currently used in everything from mobile phones and laptops to electric cars and energy storage systems, products that continue to increase in number. In 2023, over a billion smartphones were sold globally and electric car sales hit records. Almost all of them were powered by lithium-ion batteries. Their high energy density and long-lasting lifespan make them the obvious choice for many manufacturers.
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QBE made a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests in early 2024 to 50 UK fire services, receiving data from 42 of them by 17 May 2024.
For further information contact:
Sandra Villanueva, Corporate Communications, QBE, 020 7105 5284, Sandra.Villanueva@uk.qbe.com
Georgie Hall, Corporate Communications, QBE, 0789 0647 808, Georgie.Hall@uk.qbe.com