Charging your e-bike and e-scooter safely

The battery in your e-bike or e-scooter could be putting you and others at risk

The London Fire Brigade says e-bikes and e-scooters are London’s fastest growing fire risk.

In 2023, there was two e-bike or e-scooter related fires in Tower Hamlets every month.

Signs that an e-bike or e-scooter may catch on fire

• Your battery is very hot to touch
• A bulging, swelling or out of shape battery
• Any type of lump
• The charger is leaking
• A hissing or crackling sound
• A strong unusual smell
• Smoke coming from the battery

Signs that a battery is potentially unsafe and/or not compliant can include

• Packaging that doesn’t have the name or address of the UK importer on it
• Safety instructions that have been poorly written and/or translated
• A plug that is not dimensionally large enough

Safe buying advice

• Buy from a reputable UK seller
• Buy any replacement parts from the same reputable seller you bought your e-bike or e-scooter from (online marketplaces may not meet the correct safety standards)
• Beware when buying from online marketplaces – always research the individual seller
• Look for the CE/UKCA marks on the packaging.

London Fire Brigade’s charging advice

Prevent fires and protect lives, keep yourself and others safe by following the London Fire Brigade’s advice:

• Never charge while you are asleep or not around
• Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
• Always use the correct charger for your batteries and buy any replacements from a reputable seller
• Never block your fire escape route with e-bikes or e-scooters
• In the event of a fire, call 999, never try to fight the fire yourself

Learn how you can keep yourself and others safe with more tips from London Fire Brigade.