Charity calls for stricter control on the sales of batteries for e-bikes and scooters
A new report from Electrical Safety First says some lithium-ion batteries contain the same explosive energy as six grenades
There are calls for the government to impose stricter controls on the sales of batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters - after a series of battery fires that have caused injuries and in some cases, deaths.
Charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) wants to see legislation introduced that requires batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters to be regulated like fireworks and heavy machinery.
The recommendation, in a new report, titled Battery Breakdown, would see batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters need third-party approval before being placed on the UK market - a requirement the charity says is already introduced in New York City.
ESF estimates a fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar amount of stored energy as the amount of TNT (an explosive) contained in 6 hand grenades.
They say, when batteries fail a process called thermal runaway occurs, which releases a large amount of energy over a longer period of time, resulting in fire and toxic gas emissions, a bit like a firework.
They point out there have been a number of incidents where e-bikes have caught fire leading to serious injury and deaths.
Although national figures are not currently monitored, ESF estimates that there have been eight deaths so far this year as a result of e-bike fires.
Among them is a 31 year old mum and her two young children, who died in a fire in Cambridge last month, which fire services believe started after an e-bike being charged overnight caught fire.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue
Lucy Goldsmith is from Norfolk Fire and Rescue and has this advice if you do own an electric bike or scooter: "Don't charge overnight and don't charge them or leave them charging unsupervised.
"Make sure they're only charged for the period of time that they need to be charged for, and once they're fully charged, make sure that you're switching it off and unplugging it."
She also recommended making sure the device follows key regulation: "Make sure that you're using the official manufacturer's battery and charging device with it.
"There are lots of options out there, but you need to make sure that you have the ones with the right checks and regulations - it's much safer."
Finally, Lucy urged people to think about where they charge their devices, just in case a fire does start: "It's really important that where you're charging and storing your e-bikes and scooters isn't blocking evacuation at points.
"If you have the option of charging and storing it in a garage or shed, that would be great. If not, have a think about where you can best place the device, so it won't endanger you, or prevent you from exiting your property if you need to."