E-bikes and e-scooters are a fast-growing cause of serious fires. London Fire Brigade attended a record 206 e-bike and e-scooter fires in 2025 – roughly one every other day. Most are caused by faulty batteries, conversion kits and the wrong charger.
Buying Safely
- Buy a complete e-bike or e-scooter, with its battery and charger, from a reputable retailer.
- Be wary of very cheap products, unknown brands and exaggerated claims online.
- Take extra care with second-hand bikes and conversion kits. If you convert a bike, use a reputable kit, ideally fitted professionally.
- Only buy replacement batteries and chargers from the manufacturer or an authorised seller.
- Register your product with the manufacturer so you hear about recalls.
Charging Safely
- Use the charger that came with it. Don't mix chargers and batteries.
- Don't charge while you're asleep or out, and unplug when it's full.
- Never charge on an escape route, such as a hallway or stairs, or in the shared areas of a block of flats.
- Let a hot battery cool before charging, and don't cover it.
- If you can, charge and store it in a shed or garage.
- Fit an alarm where you charge – a smoke alarm in living areas, or a heat alarm in a garage. See Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Warning Signs
Stop using a battery that is very hot, bulging, leaking, hissing or crackling, smells odd, or isn't charging properly. If there's no smoke, unplug it and, if it's safe, move it outside.
If It Catches Fire
Don't try to fight it. Lithium-ion battery fires give off toxic fumes and can explode. Get out, close the door behind you, stay out and call 999. See Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: What You Need to Know.
Businesses and Blocks of Flats
Government guidance for premises recommends keeping e-bikes and e-scooters out of escape routes and common areas, providing a safe storage and charging area (ideally outside or on the ground floor), and including them in your fire risk assessment. Fire limitation bags and containers, such as our Vlitex range, can add an extra layer of protection – but they don't replace safe charging. To see the full range, type Vlitex into the search box at the top of our website.
Are E-Scooters Legal?
In England, Scotland and Wales, privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land – only official rental scooters in trial areas can be used on public roads. In Northern Ireland, e-scooters are only legal on private land.
Official guidance: GOV.UK battery safety for e-cycle users and London Fire Brigade #ChargeSafe.
Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides what your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.
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