5 Safest E-bikes for Fire Risk
Table of Contents
What are the E-bike battery fire risks and the best safety procedures?
9 best products and solutions…
While E-bikes (electric vehicles) are statistically by far safer than internal combustion vehicles (clue in the name there) in terms of fire hazards, nevertheless a risk of battery fire does exist if proper procedures are not followed, and incorrect equipment is used. Read on to find out more…
E-bikes and Scooters are a common and growing presence on our streets. Perhaps you have considered getting one and whisking around with minimal peddling on a stylish new ride.
Helping to mitigate climate change while looking effortlessly cool and nipping through the dinosaur herds of cars?
But then you hear the stories about the fire hazard, such that the London Fire Brigade was quoted by the BBC in February of 2024 saying that ‘there was a 78% increase in e-bike fires in 2023 compared to 2022, with 155 e-bike fires and 28 e-scooter fires recorded last year.’ and saying ‘E-bikes London’s fastest growing fire risk’
Tragically, most of these fires occur inside people’s homes, during the night and are often ferocious in nature. ‘Lithium battery fires can spread quickly out of control.’ – https://www.london-fire.gov.uk › safety › lithium-batteries
So – you want the effortless and convenient clean travel offered by an e-bike but without the risks of a fire in or near your house.
This article presents 5 factors to increase fire prevention to the highest level and also presents 9 best products for the safest results, so please read on to find out more…
E-bike and eScooter Battery Fire Risk and Safety
1. Battery Quality and Certification
- The higher the quality of the battery you purchase, the lower the risk of fire will be. This is because poor-quality batteries are often made with cheaply made, low-quality cells, which are much more prone to inefficiency in handling current (leading to overheating) and/or short-circuiting due to bad construction.
- Look for batteries that have been certified by recognized bodies like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Intertek, or other reputable safety checking agencies
- https://www.intertek.com › batteries › iec-62133
2. Charging Safety
- Always, and let’s just repeat that, ALWAYS use the charger provided by the company for your battery. This is because an incorrect charger will not be sending the correct current into your battery. If it is wrong in the upper direction eg more than rated – the risk of overheating is then definitely and permanently present.
- If you overcharge your bike battery beyond its capacity – once the threshold of full charge is reached – beyond this point is the danger zone. Stop charging once charged up – don’t leave it plugged in.
- Only charge your bike in a well ventilated area which is equipped with a smoke alarm. Do NOT charge your battery while you and your family are asleep upstairs.
3. Storage Precautions
- Store your battery in a cool, dry place. While very low temperatures can affect your battery performance, high temperatures pose a fire risk to a stored, charged unit.
- Do not store the battery at full charge; store at 50-80% charge range.
- Keep your battery away from direct sunlight and heat sources when stored.
4. Battery Maintenance
- Inspect the battery regularly for swelling, cracks, or any leakage.
- Replace them if you find these or they become old since batteries also become fire risks over time. A battery aged from 2 to 5 years and/or between 300 to 1000 chargings is considered to be old or aging. Check with the manufacturer to be exactly sure of your unit.
- Check that the connectors are in good condition and are connecting snugly. If they are not, replace them from the manufacturer of the unit.
5. Thermal Runaway and Fire Suppression
- Lithium-ion batteries can undergo thermal runaway. All EV battery fires start this way. What happens is that a cell in the battery array short circuits and then overheating begins at that location. Once this spot ignites, a chain reaction begins in the confined space which contains a great deal of stored energy and flammable materials. Adjacent cells ignite and now you have a furious battery fire.
- Devices with integrated thermal management systems either pump coolant liquid through the battery, or force air through using a blower fan. The most common types are air cooled and you should go with the manufacturer recommended system to be most sure of an effective system.
- Keep a Lith-Ex fire extinguisher nearby and a smoke detector in the charging area.
5 eBikes or eScooters with Best Safety Ratings for Fire Hazard
1. Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2
- Small foldable scooter
- Price £200 approx.
Safety Points
- Battery safety features
- Short-circuit protection
2. Rad Power Bikes RadCity 5 Plus
- Price £1,500+ approx.
Safety Points
- Reliable Samsung battery
- Built with safety features
- Overcharge protection
3. Specialized Turbo Vado
- Price £1,999+ approx.
Safety Points
- Top Tier Battery Safety
- UL certified
- Manufacturers own an inbuilt Battery Management System
4. Gocycle G4
- Lightweight foldable e-Bike
- Price £2,200+ approx.
Safety Points
- Advanced battery protection
- Well-engineered components
5. Trek Allant+
- Price £2,400+ approx.
Safety Points
- High-quality Bosch batteries with thermal management and excellent build quality.
3 Best Fire Extinguishers for Lithium Battery Fire Prevention
1. Lith-Ex Extinguishers by Firechief
- Price £43+ approx.
AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) technology to effectively tackle lithium-ion battery fires.
2. Bull Products LFX Fire Extinguishers
- Price £150+ approx.
The LFX series is designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires, using a water-based agent to cool down affected cells and prevent re-ignition.
3. F-500 Lithium-Ion Fire Extinguishers
- Price £150+ approx.
These extinguishers are highly effective for managing lithium-ion battery fires, particularly in personal electronics or electric vehicles. F-500 extinguishers are water-based and non-toxic, making them suitable for home use.
Lastly, for your total peace of mind, a temperature sensor to monitor the bike when it’s charging and alert you if the battery temperature is spiking dangerously…
TempStick WiFi Temperature and Humidity Sensor
- Price £120+ approx.
- Real-time alerts to your phone
- no monthly fees
- battery life of over a year
Conclusion:
We have made this article to provide you with all the information you need to know about e-bike fire safety and good options to ensure it.
Ebikes offer us all a clean green solution to short-range travel, and with correct management can do so safely, while saving our biosphere and our future.
We hope you found this article informative and reassuring.
Happy Biking!
