Three individuals have lost their lives in fires believed to have been ignited by the malfunction of e-bike lithium batteries, while 51 others have sustained injuries, the London Fire Brigade reports.

As of the end of August, the London Fire Brigade has responded to 104 e-bike fires and 19 e-scooter blazes, exceeding the total number of incidents in the previous year and setting a record for fire-related incidents involving these electric vehicles in the city. 

Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis expressed concern about the escalating rate of e-bike and e-scooter fires, stating: "Unfortunately, we are seeing an ever-growing number of fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters in London, roughly one every two days." 

In response to one such fatality in March, a coroner has formally requested the Office for Product Standards and Safety (OPSS) to implement additional safety standards. 

E-bikes and e-scooters pose an alarming fire risk when their lithium batteries are compromised or deteriorate. Although privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on public roads and spaces in London, they are legal to purchase.  

To raise awareness of these fire risks and provide guidance to Londoners on safeguarding themselves and their property, the London Fire Brigade initiated the #ChargeSafe campaign.  

Recently, a man suffered burns and was hospitalised after an e-bike fire incident in Brixton, emphasising the urgency of the campaign's message. 

Remains of an e-bike fire in Wrapping. (Photo: LFB)

Senior London fire officials are advocating for the implementation of regulations and standards for e-bikes, conversion kits, batteries, chargers, and increased surveillance of online marketplaces to ensure compliance with safety standards.  

They strongly recommend purchasing e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable sellers to minimize risks, as products assembled with components purchased online pose a higher safety risk. 

While acknowledging the environmental benefits of these vehicles, he emphasised the dangers posed by improperly modified or maintained electric bikes and scooters, calling for immediate research into the causes of battery fires and stricter regulations to prevent the sale of hazardous products online. 

Ellis said: "Without urgent research into the causes of these battery fires and proper regulation that will help prevent people unknowingly purchasing dangerous products from online marketplaces, such as batteries and conversion kits, we fear we will continue seeing a high level of these types of fires in London."  

Fire investigators found that at least 40% of the 73 e-bike fires in the first half of the year involved converted e-bikes, with 77% attributed to battery failures, particularly those from non-compliant online sources. Furthermore, at least 41% of these incidents occurred while the bikes were being charged. It is essential to use the correct charger and purchase from reputable sellers to mitigate these risks. 

Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience, Fiona Twycross, emphasised the need for safe storage, charging, and compliance with standards for privately-owned e-bikes and e-scooters. 

She called on the government to establish a regulatory framework, especially for lithium-ion batteries and to enhance product safety. 

Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience, Fiona Twycross said: "That's why I am continuing to call on the Government to introduce a regulatory framework which can help improve product safety, especially for lithium-ion batteries, and supporting the London Fire Brigade's #Chargesafe campaign." 

TfL has extended its e-scooter rental trial until May 2024, emphasising the importance of safe and sustainable travel in the city's commitment to a greener London for all.