E-Bike and E-Scooter Battery Fires: A Growing Risk in Residential Buildings

As e-bikes and e-scooters become increasingly popular across UK cities, offering convenient and sustainable travel, an emerging fire risk has followed closely behind. The lithium-ion batteries that power these devices have been linked to a rising number of serious fires.

According to government figures, there have been 21 fatalities and 226 known casualties between 2022 and 2024 linked to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters. Many of these incidents occurred in flats, maisonettes and high-rise residential buildings, highlighting the need for both users and building managers to better understand and manage the risks posed by lithium-ion battery fires.

Understanding the fire risks that come with lithium-ion batteries

E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries, the same type found in smartphones and laptops, but on a larger scale. When these batteries are cheaply manufactured, damaged, or overcharged, they risk entering a dangerous state known as ‘thermal runaway’ – a process where the battery heats uncontrollably, which can result in explosion or ignition. Fires of this nature are extremely intense, produce highly toxic smoke and are difficult to suppress using conventional firefighting methods.

While charging is a common trigger, it is not the only circumstance under which lithium-ion battery fires can occur. Numerous incidents have been reported where batteries have ignited while idle or not in use, often due to internal faults, physical damage, or exposure to external heat sources such as radiators or direct sunlight.

Source: Fires in e-bikes and e-scooters data tables - 2017 to 2024

According to the London Fire Brigade, fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters are now among the fastest-growing fire risks in the capital, with incidents increasing significantly year on year. In 2024, OPSS (Office for Product Safety and Standards) received reports of 211 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters, with 175 coming from the London Fire Brigade.

Why are flats and high-rises at greater risk from e-bike and e-scooter fires?

Fires in buildings such as flats or high-rise apartments have the potential to endanger multiple households. This risk is especially high with e-bike and e-scooter lithium-ion battery fires, which can ignite suddenly and burn with great intensity.

Storing or charging these devices in communal areas such as hallways or under staircases increases the danger. While a battery fire starting inside a flat may be contained through effective compartmentation, a fire originating in communal spaces can block escape routes and fill the building with toxic smoke. 

These risks highlight the critical importance of storing and charging e-bikes and e-scooters safely, ideally in designated areas with proper ventilation and away from escape routes. The responsible person/s of a building should be aware of these dangers and be actively involved in educating residents about safe charging practices and storage locations to help prevent potentially devastating fires.

How effective passive fire protection reduces the spread of fire and smoke

Effective passive fire protection is fundamental in residential buildings where people live above, below and beside each other. By compartmentalising a building with fire-resistant materials, it confines fire and smoke for a set period, providing crucial time for evacuation.

Fire doors are a vital part of a building’s passive fire protection system as they stop the spread of fire and smoke between compartments. However, their effectiveness is often compromised when doors are propped open – something commonly seen in houses of multiple occupation, where residents may wedge them open for convenience when transporting large items such as pushchairs, scooters and bikes.

When fire doors are left open, fire and smoke can spread quickly into other areas of the building. This increases the risk to occupants and the potential for extensive property damage. Simply keeping fire doors closed is one of the most effective ways to prevent a fire from spreading beyond its point of origin.

Fire safety tips for e-bike and e-scooter owners and building managers

Both the building’s ‘responsible person’ and individual owners of e-bikes and e-scooters have a duty to ensure these devices are stored and charged safely. Below are practical tips to help prevent e-scooter and e-bike battery fires.

For Responsible Persons (building owners/managers/landlords):

• Update fire risk assessments to include lithium-ion battery hazards.
  
• Enforce and educate on safe storage and charging practices, prohibiting charging in escape routes or communal areas.
  
• Carry out regular fire risk assessments in accordance with current fire safety regulations.
  

For e-bike and e-scooter owners:

• Use only manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers, and ensure they meet UK safety standards by looking out for a UKCA or CE mark.
  
• Avoid charging overnight or while unattended.
  
• Never charge or store devices in communal areas such as escape routes or near exit doors. Ideally, store them in a secure external location, such as a garage or shed.
  
• Do not use batteries or chargers that are damaged, bulging or overheating, as these are all signs of a failing battery.
  
• Avoid DIY modifications, particularly converting pedal bikes into e-bikes with unverified online kits.
  
• If necessary to charge indoors, place smoke detectors where you charge your devices and test them regularly to ensure early fire detection.

How we can help

At FireSealsDirect, we supply a wide range of quality fire door and fire stopping products to ensure compliance in buildings across the UK.

Need support choosing the right fire protection products? Get in touch with our technical team at [email protected] or call 02920 857 959.
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