E-Bike & Scooter Battery Fires
Lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards have caused deadly apartment and house fires. These fires start fast, spread quickly and give off toxic smoke. Most can be prevented with certified equipment and careful charging.
- Homeowners
- Tenants
- Delivery workers
Photo: e-bike charging on a hard floor in a garage, away from exits, with a smoke alarm overhead
Buy safer equipment
- Look for products certified to UL safety standards for e-bikes (UL 2849) or e-scooters and personal e-mobility devices (UL 2272), with a listing mark from a recognized lab. See Listed Equipment.
- Use only the maker’s battery and charger, or ones the maker approves.
- Avoid cheap replacement batteries and modifications.
Charging
- Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface, not a bed, couch or carpet
- Don’t charge where a fire would block your way out, like a hallway or by the front door
- Don’t leave it charging overnight or while no one is home
- Let the battery cool after riding before charging
- Unplug when it’s fully charged
- Plug directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip
- Have working smoke alarms where you charge and sleep
Warning signs: stop using it
- Swelling or bulging of the battery
- Unusual heat, a strange smell, hissing or popping
- Leaking, smoke or discoloration
- Damage from a crash or drop
- Battery won’t charge or loses charge quickly
Recycle damaged and old batteries at a battery drop-off; don’t throw them in the trash.
If a battery smokes or catches fire: get out right away, close the door behind you to slow the fire, and call 911 from outside. Lithium-ion fires can reignite and spread fast. Don’t go back in.
Standards & references
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