Battery Safety campaign

The Safety of Lithium-Ion Batteries in E-Bikes and E-Scooters Campaign

Our proposed legislation would address the alarming rise in deaths and injuries resulting from fires and explosions caused by e-scooter and e-bike batteries. We need your support for our campaign to put a stop to this dangerous trend. Read more on our proposed Bill here.

The Facts

Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and e-bikes have multiplied fourfold since 2020, resulting in deaths, hospitalisations, homelessness, and staggering financial losses. Since 2020, over 190 people have been injured, and at least 13 lives have been lost due to this concerning trend. The UK is now facing a disturbing projection of nearly one e-bike or e-scooter fire per day this year, a significant leap from just over one per week in 2020.

This issue is widespread across the UK- in the last 18 months, battery fires in over 150 UK parliamentary constituencies have occurred.

Our Solution

Our proposed legislation is the answer to these mounting challenges. Here's what it covers:

Clause 1: Safety Assurance - This clause mandates a third-party safety assessment, conducted by a government-approved body, for all e-bikes, e-scooters, and their lithium-ion batteries before they enter the UK market. This process mirrors safety measures in place for other high-risk products like fireworks and heavy machinery.
Clause 2: Responsible Disposal - This clause requires the Government to make regulations ensuring the safe disposal of lithium batteries once their lifecycle ends.
Clause 3: Comprehensive Fire Safety - This clause assigns the Government the responsibility of comprehensively addressing fire-related concerns. This involves enhancing safe usage, charging, and storage practices for these devices. It includes setting standards for conversion kits and charging systems and considering a temporary ban on the sale of universal chargers that heighten fire risks.
Additional Clauses: The remaining clauses handle technical definitions and empower devolved assemblies.

Prominent voices like the National Fire Chiefs Council, local Fire and Rescue Services, insurance companies, and various organisations have issued warnings about the gravity of the lithium-ion battery situation.

Act Now

We need to act. This legislation is essential to save lives and safeguard communities across the UK. To lend your support to this critical campaign, please get in touch with:

Wayne Mackay
Head of Policy and Public Affairs,
Electrical Safety First
wayne.mackay@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Please read our explanatory note and Equalities Impact Assessment for additional information and the need for these proposals. Together, we can help prevent #BatteryBreakdown and the devastating consequences.