Firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) responded to 100 per cent more incidents involving e-bike fires and e-scooter fires last year, compared to 2022.
In 2023, WMFS crews tackled 24 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, compared to 12 in 2022. The causes involved overheating batteries, faulty equipment and users not charging their devices correctly.
E-bikes and e-scooters are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which are also used to power devices such as phones, laptops, vapes, and many other household devices. All fires involving such devices and batteries went up from 23 in 2022 to 35 in 2023.
The increases have prompted WMFS to issue a warning to people to buy only from reputable suppliers – and to take care when charging.
In November 2022, four fire crews responded to Witton Road, Aston after an e-bike battery overheated and exploded while it was charging.
One man had to be rescued by ladder because the bike was blocking his route to safety on the ground floor. Two men were taken to hospital, and the three-storey house was significantly damaged.
Emily Fernandez
Head of Prevention
As the popularity of e-bikes rises, we will continue educating our communities on the risks and how to stay safe.
Emily Fernandez, Head of Prevention at WMFS, said: “We are seeing a concerning increase in fires caused by batteries found in e-bikes and e-scooters across the West Midlands.
“During 2023, West Midlands Fire Service responded to 100 per cent more incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters. As their popularity increases, we will continue educating our communities on the risks and how to stay safe.”
Most fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters happen at home when the batteries are on charge.
West Midlands Fire Service also works with the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the UK’s national product regulator.
In March 2023, vital evidence shared by WMFS Fire Investigators led to the removal of several e-bike batteries being withdrawn from sale online. It came after a severe fire in a high-rise building in Coventry, and the subsequent investigations by our Fire Investigation and Protection Section (FIPS).
Please see more information on our e-bike safety page.
