Cambridge e-bike fire survivor cautious over new battery safety Bill
The Bill is due to be debated in the House of Lords today
An e-bike fire survivor from Cambridge said he's worried the use of lithium ion batteries from non-reputable sources will continue.
The concern comes as the House of Lords is due to debate a Lithium Ion Battery Safety Bill today, which aims to regulate the sale, storage and disposal of these batteries found in devices like e-bikes.
Scott Peden lost his partner and two children when an e-bike battery left charging overnight exploded in their home last year.
He's been leading calls for tougher safety laws around e-bike batteries since the fire, and backs the latest plans.
"That's what caused my fire, a second-hand e-bike battery someone had tampered with; you don't know what you're buying and I'd hate to see another family go through what I've been through," he said.
"The state we're in now is you can get them anywhere online and for not much money, that's the biggest problem; anyone can pick them up.
"I feel optimistic about the new Bill, but I wish it could have come sooner so it would've saved my family."
What's in the Bill?
In the Lithium Ion Battery Safety Bill, it aims to "better protect householders and communities from the dangers of lithium-ion batteries" as well as "increase public confidence in battery energy storage systems."
The Bill states that sellers of these batteries must display a warning of the dangers of "improper disposal of such batteries", with information "regarding the safe disposal of such batteries".
It also tells any online retailers selling lithium ion batteries must adhere to specific regulations and other safety requirements.
How to enforce law is politicians' 'biggest challenge'
Scott believes e-bike batteries being sold online should be scrapped, but is concerned how the legislation, if it passes, will be enforced.
"There are many things that can be done, even like stopping the sale of these batteries online by random public users and only through reputable, qualified store owners," he said.
"The people that are trying to get rid of an old battery need to get it disposed of properly and not give it to someone else where it can cause a catastrophe
"The biggest challenge politicians face is enforcing it and how they can make sure these sellers are selling something that's safe to use."