Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries double in two years

Source: QBE 

Data collected by QBE from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to UK fire services in March 2025 suggests e-bikes are a major contributor, being linked to almost a third (27%) of all recorded lithium-ion battery fires in 2024.

Lithium-ion batteries can be found in most rechargeable devices, including smartphones, laptops, power tools and e-vehicles.

E-bikes accounted for 362 fires in 2024, double from 181 in 2022. It means the nation’s fire services tended to an e-bike fire almost every day last year.

London accounted for almost a third of all lithium-ion battery fires in the UK (31%) and nearly half of all e-bike-related fires (49% or 178 incidents) in 2024.

Between 2022 and 2024, fires involving e-cars rose by 77% (131 to 232). While the number of electric vehicles on the road have more than doubled in the same period[1], the risk from EV fires is substantial due to their fire intensity and speed of ignition and spreading caused by lithium-ion batteries.

QBE is calling for improvements to lithium-ion battery safety as the fires burn hotter, faster and behave more unpredictably than ordinary combustion fires, increasing the risk of injury to people and damage to property. In addition, many people still do not know how to manage these emerging technologies and devices safely in their homes or businesses.

Fires involving electric scooters increased by 32% from 118 in 2022 to 156 in 2024. Fires involving electric mobility scooters rose by 20% from 25 in 2022 to 30 in 2024. The threat to their users is heightened, particularly for those with limited mobility, who may struggle to vacate quickly in the event of a fire.

Of all the fire services in the UK, the London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, with 407 incidents – more than four times the next highest region. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was second, reporting 100 lithium-ion battery fires, followed by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, which covers Leeds and Bradford, reporting 94 lithium-ion battery fires.

For those fires whose location was recorded, the most frequent one was residential properties, followed by outdoors and commercial premises. 

As personal e-transport becomes more popular and more electric cars hit the road, QBE says there is a growing need for better public education on safe battery use and fire prevention.

Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE Insurance commented:

“Lithium-ion battery fires continue increasing at a worrying pace. These fires burn differently, they take longer to tackle, typically need ten times more water to put out and are often more harmful to the surrounding environment.  People need to understand the risks and how to deal with them."

“While QBE supports the adoption of e-transport, we also call for stricter regulation. For instance, the UK should stop the sale of rogue e-bikes and other unregulated devices. This could be done in the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is going through Parliament.

“In the meantime, consumers should purchase e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable companies, so retailers that show they take quality and compliance seriously with a genuine CE mark.

"Raising awareness around safe charging, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is critical to keeping people and property safe.”

Lithium-ion battery fires are the result of “thermal runaway”, where batteries start to irreversibly overheat, usually due to impact damage, over-charging or over-heating. Batteries on electric vehicles are extremely powerful, so the resulting explosive fire incidents are significantly more energetic, causing extensive damage, and potentially injury or even death.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched the "Buy Safe, Be Safe" campaign in October 2024, advising consumers to avoid rogue online sellers and prioritise safe purchases[2]. Additionally, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently under parliamentary review, aims to strengthen safety standards for products sold in the UK[3].

QBE’s recommendations for managing lithium-ion batteries at home:

1. Buy certified devices from reputable retailers.
2. Check for battery damage after impacts or accidents.
3. Use only the original charger provided with the device.
4. Plug into outlets with circuit breakers.
5. Charge in well-ventilated, outdoor areas away from combustible sources (for example, barbecue gas cylinders).
6. Avoid charging in escape routes like hallways for apartment buildings.
7. Indoors, charge in low-risk areas (such as kitchens with smoke detectors) away from combustibles.
8. Install smoke or heat detectors where devices are charged.
9. Don’t charge unattended or while sleeping.
10. Unplug devices when charging is complete.

QBE’s recommendations for managing lithium-ion batteries as a business:

1. Buy certified devices from reputable suppliers only.
2. Inspect batteries regularly for swelling, dents, or damage—dispose of damaged ones safely via professionals.
3. Store batteries safely in non-combustible, ventilated areas with proper spacing.
4. Use approved chargers and charge only during business hours.
5. Keep ignition sources away from charging or recently used batteries.
6. Avoid extreme conditions like heat, cold, moisture, or stacking heavy items on batteries.
7. In case of fire or overheating, evacuate immediately and call emergency services—do not use fire extinguishers.
8. Use infrared (IR) thermography to monitor for temperature spikes indicating battery issues and triggering an emergency response.
9. Have an emergency response plan in place and train all staff before allowing batteries on-site.
10. Recycle responsibly—never open, incinerate, or destroy batteries. Take batteries to certified recycling points or hazardous waste collection centres.

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QBE made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on 3^rd March 2025 to 50 UK fire services, receiving data from 42 of them as at 7^th May 2025.

[1] https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/ev-market

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/only-purchase-safe-and-legal-e-bikes-new-government-safety-campaign-urges-public

[3] https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/lord-foster-of-bath/bill/2024-26/productregulationandmetrology