Any e-bike or e-scooter battery can pose a serious fire risk. If a battery fails, the fire can start in seconds, spread quickly and be fatal. The risk is even higher if the battery is damaged, faulty or charged incorrectly.
Fire brigades went to 520 e-bike fires in 2025. 230 of those were in London. Five people have died in these fires in the past three years.
On average, there’s one fire every two days in London because of e-bikes.
Even if there isn’t a fire, a faulty battery can produce toxic smoke. This can sting your eyes, make it hard to see or breathe and could make you collapse or lose consciousness. So, it’s really important you follow the advice below. (To save time, we use ‘bikes’ to refer to both e-bikes and e-scooters.)
How to stay safe
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Only use official batteries and chargers
It can be tempting to buy cheap, second-hand or modified bikes (or to alter them yourself).
If you’re thinking of doing that, you have to make sure your batteries and chargers are original and from a shop or seller you can trust.
That’s because batteries and chargers that have been changed, damaged or over-used in any way are much more likely to be dangerous. If you buy them unofficially, it can be impossible to tell if something’s wrong with them.
It’s also important to know that official batteries can still start a fire – it's just that unofficial ones make the risk much higher.
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Be really careful when charging
The biggest danger comes from batteries overcharging. Always unplug the bike when it’s fully charged and never leave the bike to charge overnight.
Always follow the instructions you get with the battery and charger.
Know the warning signs
Stop charging straight away if you notice:
- overheating
- swelling
- leaking
- hissing or cracking sounds
- a strong smell
- slow charging or not being able to fully charge
If this happens, stop using the battery. Don’t try to charge it again or repair it yourself.
If there’s smoke, fire or immediate danger, leave your home straight away. Call 999 and ask for the fire brigade.
If your battery starts smoking
If your e-bike or e-scooter battery starts smoking, catches fire or you think there’s immediate danger, act quickly.
- Get out straight away
- Close any doors behind you
- Stay out
- Call 999 and ask for the fire brigade
- Don't try to put the fire out yourself
- Don't try and move the battery
Battery fires can spread quickly and produce toxic smoke, so it’s important to leave your home and wait for help.
Store bikes safely
As with any large object, never leave your bike where it might block an exit or an escape route – especially when you’re charging it.
And please don’t leave them in communal areas either.