Charge Safe: E-bike and e-scooter fire safety
The Charge Safe campaign helps people understand the fire risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters and the steps they can take to reduce them. Find fire safety advice and campaign resources for fire and rescue services and partners.
Why do we need Charge Safe?
With the growing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, there has been an increase in fires linked to these products. Most e-bikes and e-scooters are used safely, but the risk of fire increases when products do not meet safety standards, are damaged or are charged incorrectly.
Many fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters happen in the home, often while batteries are being charged.
Charge Safe aims to help people understand the risks and take simple steps to safely buy, charge and store e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries.
Buying an e-bike, e-scooter or conversion kit
Unsafe, non-compliant or incorrectly installed e-bikes, e-scooters, batteries and conversion kits can cause fires that can be particularly dangerous to people and property.
Before you buy, check that:
- The product meets the relevant safety standards. Look for products with the UKCA or CE mark.
- Buy from a reputable retailer or manufacturer. Don’t buy from unknown sellers or online marketplaces.
- Check that the battery and charger are compatible with your device. Don’t mix and match batteries and chargers unless they are specifically designed to work together.
- Make sure you never buy counterfeit or substandard products. Very cheap batteries, chargers or components may not meet the required safety standards.
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions and safety information before buying and make sure any replacement parts are approved for your model.
- Register your product with the manufacturer in case of product alerts or recalls.
If you’re buying a conversion kit
- Choose a conversion kit from a recognised manufacturer or supplier.
- Always use a competent professional to install the kit.
- Use the charger supplied or recommended by the manufacturer.
Charging your e-bike or e-scooter safely
Choose a safe place to charge
- Keep escape routes clear. Never charge your e-bike or e-scooter in a bedroom, hallway or other place where it could block your escape.
- Keep batteries and chargers away from anything that could catch fire and away from hazardous substances.
- If your battery can be removed from your e-bike or e-scooter, charge it separately on a hard, flat surface where heat can disperse and there is good ventilation.
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms and test them regularly.
Charge safely
- Never leave a battery charging unattended. Don’t charge it while you are asleep or away from home.
- Use the correct charger supplied by the manufacturer or recommended for your battery and device.
- Check your battery and charger are not damaged.
- Don’t cover chargers or battery packs while they are charging.
- Don’t overload sockets or use extension leads, it safer to plug directly into the wall socket.
When charging is finished
- Switch off and unplug the charger when charging is complete.
- Allow the battery and charger to cool before storing them.
- Store and charge batteries in a cool, dry place.
Watch the video for safety advice
Warning signs your e-bike or e-scooter battery could be a fire hazard
- Overheating, the battery feels unusually or extremely hot to the touch.
- Swelling or deformation, the battery appears swollen, misshapen or has developed a lump.
- Liquid leaking from the battery or device.
- Unusual noises such as hissing, cracking or popping sounds.
- Unusual smell, you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery or device.
- Changes in performance – the battery is taking longer than usual to charge or does not fully charge.
- Smoke is coming from the battery or device.
Stop using or charging your battery immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.
If there is a fire Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999
Campaign resources
The national Charge Safe campaign is a collaboration between Fire Kills and NFCC.