E-bikes, E-Scooters and Mobility Scooters
Fire safety advice for electric bikes, electric scooters and mobility scooters
Electric bikes, electric scooters and mobility scooters are becoming increasingly popular. Most are powered by lithium-ion batteries which can be charged in the home. The use of these batteries in a wide range of household products is becoming increasingly common.
It is important to charge and store these products safely to prevent the risk of fire and to protect your family and home.
General safety advice
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Only buy an e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter from a reputable retailer that complies with UK product safety standards and has a British UKCA or European CE Safety mark.
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Always follow the manufacturers instructions when charging, storing, disposing of, or replacing e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter batteries and chargers.
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Never attempt to modify or convert an e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter yourself. Only allow a professional to carry out this work.
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Ensure you register your e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter with the manufacturer to validate any warranties and to be informed of any safety recalls.
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In the event of an e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter or lithium-ion battery fire, do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Get out, stay out, call 999.
E-bike and e-scooter safety video
Safe charging and storage
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Never charge or store your e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter in hallways, near exits, on escape routes or where people sleep and away from communal areas, as this can block escape routes in a fire.
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Never leave a charging e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter unattended or leave it charging when you go to bed. If a fault occurs you need to be alert to it.
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Always charge and store your e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter in a cool, well ventilated area and away from flammable materials.
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Never cover the battery while charging. This can cause overheating and start a fire.
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Never overcharge. Always unplug your charger, once charging is complete.
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Always use the manufacturer approved charger. Using the wrong charger can lead to the battery overheating and a fire starting.
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Fit smoke or heat detection in the room or garage where you charge or store your e-bike, e-scooter or mobility scooter.
Battery damage and safe disposal
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Regularly check your e-bike, e-scooter, mobility scooter battery for signs of damage like swelling, leaks, or strange smells. If you suspect any damage, stop using and buy and official replacement battery from a reputable retailer.
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Never put batteries in your general waste or recycling bins. Batteries, when punctured or crushed, can cause fires in bin lorries, recycling and waste centres.
If in doubt, always take damaged or end of life batteries to your local household waste recycling centre (the tip).
E-Bike Fire Risk Warning: is your battery safe?
Certain UPP e-bike batteries (models U004 and U004-1) are deemed to pose a serious fire risk according to the Government. Find out how to check your battery, stay safe and dispose of affected models safely and responsibly by visiting Is your e-bike battery safe? Electrical Safety First (external website)
Dangerous UPP (unit pack power) e-bike batteries are still being sold privately across the UK – despite the issue of a Government withdrawal notice in January 2024, stating that the UPP battery posed a serious risk of fire. For further advice visit OPSS warning on dangerous UPP e-bike batteries (external website).
If you own an e-bike, we urge you to check your battery today.
For more information and advice, please visit the external links below
Visit Co-pilot Scoot Smarter (external website) for their film on hiring/buying private scooters and riding safely and legally.
Watch ‘Buy Safe, Be Safe’ e-bike and e-scooter fire safety videos in English and Welsh (external website), or translated into Arabic, Urdu, Romanian and Portuguese (including Brazilian Portuguese) (external website)
Are you riding legally? Visit GOV.UK for the rules for riding e-bikes (external link) or e-scooters (external link)