E‑Bike and E‑Scooter Fires Hit Record High

Fires caused by e‑bikes and e‑scooters have hit their highest level on record, with new figures showing a dramatic rise in dangerous battery‑related blazes across the UK.

Data obtained from all 49 UK fire services shows 432 e‑bike fires were recorded in 2025 — a 38% increase on the previous year. E‑scooter fires also rose sharply, climbing to 147 incidents, up 20% on 2024.

Fire investigators say the majority of these incidents are linked to failing lithium‑ion batteries, often found in cheap or unregulated products bought online.

‘Always cut‑price products’ — expert warns of dangerous batteries

Nick Bailey from BatteryIQ said the devices involved in fires are almost always low‑cost imports with poor quality control.

He warned of a growing black market in DIY and counterfeit batteries, particularly among delivery riders, with some packs even being built from reclaimed vape batteries.

Bailey said:

“I wouldn’t keep a battery in my home without continuous monitoring — regardless of what the manufacturer’s sticker says.”

London remains the UK’s biggest hotspot

London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of incidents by far, with Greater Manchester and Nottinghamshire also identified as major hotspots.

Lithium‑ion battery fires are especially dangerous because they:

- Ignite extremely quickly  

- Burn at intense temperatures  

- Release toxic vapours  

- Can re‑ignite even after appearing extinguished  

The risk has become so severe that e‑bikes and e‑scooters are now banned from the London Underground.

Electrical Safety First says the surge in fires is becoming a national emergency.

Chief executive Lesley Rudd warned:

“Poorly made batteries and accessories are a major route through which dangerous devices enter people’s homes. Without strong, enforceable changes, further loss of life is inevitable.”

Consumer group Which? also warned that unsafe products are “increasingly saturating” online marketplaces, undercutting retailers who follow safety laws.

Government plans crackdown on unsafe online sales

In response to the rising threat, the government has launched a consultation aimed at tightening product safety rules.

Under the proposals, online marketplaces would be legally required to:

- Prevent dangerous products being listed  

- Identify unsafe items  

- Remove them quickly  

The move comes as private e‑scooters — still illegal to ride in public — continue to be widely used in cities across the UK.

---

For more news visit Pulse Media.