Fear rises among e-bike owners as battery fire episodes increase

The findings emanate from a survey conducted by the British Woodworking Federation to mark its Fire Door Safety Week campaign for 2025 (entitled ‘Fire Travels Fast’), with the latter highlighting the essential role of fire doors in containing fires and protecting lives. The survey has exposed several concerning gaps in terms of awareness levels, maintenance and reporting.

Key research results

The survey has unearthed several key findings related to e-bikes and e-scooters, with the focus on risk, real-world incidents and methods of storage .

*High perceived risk – e-bikes (45%) and e-scooters (47%) topped the list of lithium-ion battery-powered items most likely to be viewed as a fire hazard, ahead of vapes (38%) and electric vehicles (36%)

*Real-world incidents – In the past year, 10% of individuals have experienced (or know someone who has experienced) a lithium-ion battery fire

*Storage habits – While most respondents (56%) store their e-bikes and e-scooters in a garage or outbuilding, 10% keep them in their hallway, 5% in a shared hallway or landing and 7% in another room in the home

While ownership of these devices is currently relatively low – e-bike and e-scooter ownership sit at 8% and 6% respectively – the number of fires attributed to these items is increasing. Freedom of Information data gathered by QBE Insurance Group records a 93% increase in lithium-ion battery-related fires between 2022 and 2024, with e-bikes and e-scooters heavily involved.

The study findings also raise concerns about the potential for counterfeit devices to exacerbate the problem, with 9% of individuals owning e-bikes and e-scooters created using a conversion kit.

Even though over half (ie 63%) of e-bike and e-scooter owners have experienced a charging issue at some point, a large number continue to charge inside the home (42%), while 8% charge their e-bike or e-scooter in internal shared spaces, such as hallways in apartment blocks.

The British Woodworking Federation’s ‘Fire Travels Fast’ campaign is urging landlords, building managers and ‘Responsible Persons’ – and notably so those looking after high-rise blocks, apartments and HMOs – to ensure that fire doors are correctly installed, maintained, inspected and used.

Prevention of fire spread

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), commented: “With e-bikes and e-scooters increasingly stored in homes and communal areas, correctly functioning fire doors can mean the difference between life and death. Fire doors are one of the most effective measures we have for preventing the spread of fire and smoke. They afford people the precious time they need to evacuate premises safely. Time that’s even more critical when dealing with the intense heat and speed of fires that have been caused by lithium-ion batteries.”

The survey has revealed only 41% of respondents are confident that the fire doors in their building would contain a lithium-ion battery fire. They would be more likely to leave immediately and call the Fire and Rescue Service if the cause of a fire is an e-bike/e-scooter. The study has also shown that people underestimate how long fire doors can provide protection. Only 36% of respondents are aware that a standard fire door offers 30 minutes of safety. 17% didn’t know this at all.

Of those who have fire doors in the building where they live, 35% of them have noticed issues such as fire doors regularly being propped open (11%), blocked or obstructed (9%), an excessive gap between the door and the frame (8%), faulty door closers (7%) or faulty hinges (7%). Worryingly, 6% said that they’ve found fire doors to be locked. Despite the clear risks involved, only 29% of survey respondents had reported faulty fire doors, in turn highlighting a gap in proactive safety behaviours even when fire risk perception is rising.

Reporting problems

Helen Hewitt concluded: “We all have a role to play in spotting and reporting problems with fire doors and taking immediate action to protect lives and property. Fire Door Safety Week is an essential reminder that correctly installed and properly maintained fire doors save lives, but only if we all take responsibility for ensuring they can do their job.”

London Fire Brigade Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Field explained: “e-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks. Since the beginning of 2023, there has been a fire, on average, every other day involving an e-bike or an e-scooter.”

Field continued: “We’re urging people never to store or charge e-bikes or e-scooters in hallways, stairwells or escape routes. If possible, keep them outdoors in a garage or shed. If they must keep one indoors, always place it in a room away from the main exit so that, if a fire does break out, the door can be closed and people led to safety.”

Further, Field noted: “Fire doors are a vital line of defence. When properly maintained and kept closed, they hold back flames and toxic smoke, realising valuable extra minutes for escape while firefighters respond.”

In conclusion, Field explained: “People should never attempt to repair or alter a fire door themselves as this can compromise the door’s effectiveness. If they suspect a fault, they should always report it to the building owner immediately. Fires can develop rapidly so it’s essential that every home has working smoke alarms to provide early warning and help save lives.”

*Fire Door Safety Week 2025 runs from 22-26 September. Further information is available online at www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk