Within the wake of a tragic dying brought on by an e-bike battery hearth, Bristol coroner Maria Voisin has raised considerations concerning the lack of information over risks posed by lithium-ion batteries.
Voisin’s investigation into the hearth in a top-floor flat in Avon highlights the necessity for enhanced client safety.
Whereas fires involving e-bike batteries are uncommon, their depth could be extraordinarily harmful after they do happen. The first culprits are sometimes poor-quality charging kits. These kits, marketed as ‘common’, are significantly hazardous as a result of they don’t seem to be correctly matched to the precise battery they’re charging.
Some cheaper variations shouldn’t have mechanisms to chop the facility provide as soon as the battery is totally charged or if it begins to overheat, posing important hearth dangers.
Moreover, some e-bikes are outfitted with sub-standard Battery Administration Methods (BMS) which rely closely on the unique charger to stop overcharging and overheating. If shoppers unknowingly use incompatible or inferior chargers, the chance of battery fires will increase considerably.
E-bike battery fires: Ought to I be frightened?
With an estimated two million e-bikes within the UK, and gross sales on the up, battery fires are on the rise. Nonetheless, at current they happen at a fee of lower than one per day. By comparability, 100,000 automobiles go up in flames yearly ensuing within the dying of round 100 individuals. That’s practically 300 autos fires each day. In different phrases, a automobile is twice as prone to catch hearth as an e-bike.
Nonetheless, given electrical bicycles are most frequently charged inside the house, it’s a threat value guarding towards – particularly when the safeguards are really easy to observe.
E-bike hearth threat recommendation
The best threat of e-bike fires stems from poor high quality electrical bicycles, chargers and batteries offered by disreputable sellers. E-bike conversion kits that haven’t been put in by knowledgeable, and mismatching batteries and chargers additionally will increase any threat.
The UK authorities recommends these 5 steps when shopping for and charging your e-bike:
Solely purchase an e-bike, e-scooter, charger or battery from a identified vendor and test any product critiques
At all times learn and observe the producer’s directions for charging and utilizing e-bikes or e-scooters
Not all e-bike or e-scooter batteries and chargers are suitable or protected when used collectively. Examine and solely use the producer’s beneficial battery or charger
At all times cost in a protected place with out blocking exits and at all times unplug your charger when you’ve got completed charging
By no means try to change or tamper together with your battery
E-bike insurance coverage
The ETA covers all road-legal electrical bicycles. And we embody battery theft and Cycle Rescue at no extra value. In case your e-bike develops a mechanical fault, you possibly can name on our breakdown workforce 24/7.
Learn a full listing of all the pieces we embody as customary.
e-bike batteries can value over £500 to switch – we cowl them towards theft as customary
Lithium ion battery security
Most of us already use lithium ion batteries in units such cellphones, laptops and cordless instruments, and accomplish that safely. A lot of the hearth threat happens with merchandise that don’t conform with the CE or UKCA mark, or mixing and matching batteries and chargers. E-bike are not any completely different.
Earlier than a lithium-ion battery catches hearth, there could also be warning indicators. Cease utilizing or charging your battery instantly in case you discover any of the next:
Extreme warmth, or smoke
Swelling or leaks
Hissing or cracking sound
A robust or uncommon odor
A sudden deterioration in efficiency
If the charger or battery begins smoking or catches hearth, increase the alarm, get out, keep out and name 999 instantly. Keep in mind to report your defective charger or battery to the Residents Recommendation Client Service.
In the event you tamper together with your e-bike to extend its prime pace, you’re growing the chance of fireside and, within the eyes of the regulation, turning your bicycle into a bike
Charging e-bike batteries
Don’t cost e-bikes and e-scooters in bedrooms or the place escape routes could be blocked – for instance, hallways
At all times unplug your charger when you’ve got completed charging
Don’t go away your battery charging unattended, when you find yourself out or when you are asleep
In case your battery could be eliminated out of your e-bike, it needs to be charged on a tough flat floor the place warmth can disperse and in an space with good air flow
Don’t cowl chargers or battery packs when charging
Don’t overload sockets or use inappropriate extension leads
Don’t cost or retailer batteries in direct daylight or in scorching places
Don’t cost batteries shut to flamable supplies or hazardous substances
The moral alternative
The ETA was established in 1990 as an moral supplier of inexperienced, dependable journey providers. Over 30 years on, we proceed to supply cycle insurance coverage , breakdown cowl and mobility scooter insurance coverage whereas placing concern for the setting on the coronary heart of all we do.
The Good Purchasing Information judges us to be the UK’s most moral supplier.
