E-Bike Battery Fires Raise UK Safety Concerns

At least 18 people have died and nearly 700 have been injured in fires involving e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries across the UK.

New data obtained by BBC Verify shows that fire and rescue services recorded more than 2,000 incidents linked to the vehicles or their batteries between 2019 and 2025. The number of fires increased each year, with almost half taking place in homes or garages.

Battery-related fires saw a particularly sharp rise. Fire services recorded just 32 incidents in 2019, compared with 605 in 2025.

The London Fire Brigade has raised concerns about the growing fire risks linked to some e-bikes and e-scooters, especially vehicles that have been modified or purchased second-hand.

Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said many fires attended by the brigade involved second-hand vehicles or bikes fitted with parts bought online. She advised consumers to take care when choosing where to buy their e-bikes and e-scooters.

Experts have also warned about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which power most of these vehicles. The batteries can hold significant amounts of energy in a small space. If they become faulty, damaged or overcharged, however, they can release that energy very quickly. This can cause intense flames and burning projectiles.

Dr Simon Jones of the University of Warwick said a battery fire could spread across a room within seconds, potentially cutting off escape routes. He also warned that burning batteries can produce toxic fumes that pose a serious health risk.

The danger became clear in the experience of 24-year-old Jahmell Campbell, whose e-scooter caught fire at his grandmother’s home in London. Campbell said the scooter suddenly burst into flames near the front door, making it difficult for the family to leave through the normal exit.

Campbell escaped by jumping from a window, while his father helped his grandmother out through the same route. His grandmother suffered minor injuries, but the flat where she had lived for more than 20 years was destroyed.

Other cases have resulted in fatalities. Eight-year-old Luke Albiston-O’Donnell from Birkenhead died in 2024 after inhaling toxic fumes from a house fire caused by an e-bike battery that was charging.

In 2023, 28-year-old Mohsin Janjua from Bradford also died following a fire involving an e-bike conversion kit purchased online from China. Investigators concluded that a catastrophic battery failure was more likely than not to have caused the fire.

Since 2023, coroners have issued at least five reports highlighting the dangers of lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters and calling for stronger public safety measures.

The Bicycle Association said the growing availability of cheap and unsafe products online was making it harder for legitimate retailers to promote safer e-bikes. Steve Garidis of the association warned that illegal and unsafe products sold through online marketplaces could expose unsuspecting consumers to serious risks.

The UK government has also warned that batteries can become dangerous when they fail to meet safety standards, suffer damage, undergo modifications or are used with incompatible chargers.

Its “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign advises consumers to look for recognised UKCE or CE safety markings when buying e-bikes and e-scooters.

The government said it is also increasing the responsibilities of online marketplaces and working with local authorities to find and remove unsafe products from sale.

With e-bike battery fires continuing to rise, the figures underline the importance of buying safe products, using compatible chargers and avoiding unsafe modifications.

How can consumers and online marketplaces do more to prevent e-bike battery fires?