Some electric scooters and e-bikes ‘labelled as a major threat’ over fire risk

A video was recently published showing an e-scooter burst into flames in a kitchen of a residential London house.

The clip shows the board of the scooter smoking before bursting into flames within a few seconds, with pieces of the scooter being thrown around the building.

A secondary angle shows the fire quickly engulfing most of the kitchen with flames, with the scooter owner saying he was “grateful to be alive”.

London Fire Brigade said there had been 48 electric bike and 12 e-scooter fires in the capital so far this year.

The vehicle was charging at the time, with LFB warning that they should not be charged at home, and warned that these instances would sadly become more common.

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The overheating lithium-ion batteries can create fierce fires, releasing toxic smoke, with the e-scooter owner in London being treated in hospital over fears of smoke inhalation.

According to a Freedom of Information request, the Guardian reported that e-scooter and e-bike fires are occurring at a rate of six a week in the UK.

Mike Peregudov, co-founder and CEO of e-bike subscription platform Whizz, warned owners of the risks they face when charging their vehicles.

He said: “Despite the world of good they do for our environment, some e-bikes have been labelled as a major threat to public safety.

“More than 200 cases of e-bike fires have been reported in New York City in the past year alone, with lithium-ion batteries now the leading cause of fires in the city.

“Yes, some modern e-bikes are at risk of catching fire, but despite the headlines, e-bikes aren’t death traps – so long as they’re manufactured properly and used correctly.”

Before charging their e-bike or e-scooter, owners should look out for any wear and tear, especially on the battery, as this can lead to an increased risk of fire.

If they do spot any noticeable damage to the vehicles, Mr Peregudov recommended that owners should get a qualified technician to inspect the bike and identify any potential fire hazards.

People should always let the vehicle battery cool down to room temperature before plugging it in to charge.

The vehicle should also always be monitored when it is charging and should be unplugged when it is fully charged.

If a motorist is concerned about the battery – such as if it starts to balloon, swell, smoke, or get hot – they should disconnect the battery and observe it in a safe place for 15 minutes.

Mike Peregudov added: “In the event of an e-bike, e-scooter, or lithium-ion battery fire, do not attempt to extinguish it yourself.

“Make sure you’re far away from the bike in a safe place, and immediately call the emergency services.”