Britons face major safety concerns as 'explosive, toxic and fatal' electric bike fires pose huge risks

Fire crews responded to a small fire in the open in Church Green, Shoreham, on Monday, January 12, where a lithium-ion battery from an e-bike conversion kit had gone into thermal runaway, causing it to ignite.

Firefighters were able to submerge the battery in water to cool it down and used a thermal imaging camera to monitor the temperature.

Conversion kits allow a normal pedal bike to be altered to an e-bike, but experts warned that they pose a significant fire risk if not installed properly.

Experts explained that the kits rarely come with a battery or charger, resulting in shoppers purchasing these items separately and leaving them at risk of using an incompatible product.

Incompatible chargers can lead to batteries overcharging, which increases the risk of batteries catching fire.

Crew Commander Mike Wattam said: "E-bike conversion kits are becoming increasingly popular, but they pose a serious fire risk when incompatible batteries and chargers are used."

Mr Wattam explained that electronic devices, batteries, and chargers should only be purchased from reputable retailers to ensure they meet UK product safety standards.

Station Manager Darren Wickings, chair of the lithium-ion group LIBERATE, said: "E-bike conversions should only be carried out by a professional. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not attempt to modify or tamper with the battery, charger or motor yourself.

"Always use the correct charger to charge your batteries. Charge them on a flat, solid and stable surface and don't leave them charging while unattended or overnight."

He warned riders to ensure they have working smoke alarms near the chargers of batteries and to never charge electric bikes and scooters in areas where they could block means of escape in an emergency.

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: "We have tackled a record number of fires which have been caused by either an e-bike or e-scooter; we urge Londoners to be careful when purchasing one of these items.

"As we have seen, these fires have devastating consequences - they are fast, explosive, toxic and can be fatal."

Mr Smith warned riders that only buying from an online marketplace could significantly increase the risk of fire due to the lack of regulation.

"Without knowing it, you could be purchasing a faulty, damaged or incompatible product and putting yourself and everyone around you at risk," he added.

The Department for Transport states that riders should only buy genuine items authorised by the e-cycle or drive system manufacturer.

Using a reputable supplier can also reduce the risk of buying counterfeit items, which can result in fires.

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for the Fire Service in London, shared: "I urge [riders] to think twice about buying an e-bike or conversion kit from online marketplaces and encourage them to shop with reputable retailers - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is and could be extremely dangerous.

"The Mayor and I will continue to support the work of the London Fire Brigade and partners to improve e-bike safety, strengthen regulation and raise awareness of the dangers, as we build a safer London for everyone."