“Urgent action needed to tackle lithium-ion battery fire risks” warns NFCC

According to the NFCC, the current situation is putting the public and firefighters – as well as property and the environment – at an increasing risk.

Publishing new recommendations designed to strengthen safety across consumer products, the NFCC has called for the Government to act swiftly inm closing regulatory gaps by introducing clear and enforceable product safety rules for lithium-ion battery products, tighter controls on online sales and improved systems for the safe disposal of such batteries.

The NFCC is also urging a co-ordinated national public education campaign to highlight how lithium-ion battery misuse – such as unsafe charging or product modifications – can significantly increase fire risks.

As stated, lithium-ion batteries are increasingly used in many household appliances and items such as electric toothbrushes, tools, toys, mobile phones, tablets, laptops and in vapes. They’re also used to power e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as electric vehicles.

While these technologies are crucial for a low-carbon future, fires involving these batteries are complex, producing toxic and potentially explosive vapours, and pose a serious risk of reignition.

Public safety

Phil Garrigan, chair of the NFCC, said: “Lithium-ion batteries are now everywhere in our homes, powering the phones in our pockets, the laptops on our desks, e-scooters and the cordless appliances we use every day, but such technology must not come at the cost of public and firefighter safety.”

Garrigan continued: “The fire risks linked to these familiar products are evolving far faster than the safety standards designed to protect us. When things go wrong with lithium-ion batteries the consequences can be devastating and, tragically, lives have already been lost.”

Further, Garrigan explained: “Fire and Rescue Services are the first line of defence when these batteries fail, facing fires that are incredibly complex and dangerous to tackle. They need stronger protection, clear standards and better tools from Government and industry to continue safeguarding people and property as these batteries become more common in our homes.”

Since 2023, at least six fatalities have been linked to fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters (according to Prevention of Future Death reports), thereby highlighting gaps in public awareness and safety standards and the urgent need for stronger regulation.

More frequent

Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming more frequent, placing increasing operational and resource pressures on Fire and Rescue Services, who are usually the first to respond when these batteries ignite. Between January 2021 and September 2023, a search of free text inputs to the Government’s Incident Recording System identified 139 fire records mentioning ‘e-bike’ and 124 mentioning ‘e-scooter’. However, the Government has acknowledged that the quality and completeness of this data cannot be guaranteed. The NFCC believes the true scale of the issue to be significantly higher.

The London Fire Brigade alone attended 179 fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters in 2023, while in 2024 the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) received reports of 211 such fires, nearly half of which occurred indoors. As reporting to the OPSS is voluntary, these figures are also likely to represent an underestimate.

The Product Safety and Metrology Act 2025, which recently received Royal Assent, affords the Government new powers to make enforceable safety rules for products such as e-bikes and e-scooters, including those sold online. These rules could help reduce fire risks from lithium-ion batteries. The NFCC welcomes this move, but feels urgent action is still needed to close safety gaps and make sure these powers are used to protect people and firefighters.

In addition to the lithium-ion batteries issue, the NFCC is urging policymakers to recognise the wider fire safety risks posed by the full spectrum of emerging energy technologies. Ensuring fire safety means that regulatory frameworks must be flexible and responsive to keep up with the rapid pace of energy technology innovation.

Position statement

The NFCC’s Fire Risks in Energy Technologies position statement calls on the Government to:

*introduce mandatory product safety rules and third party testing for personal light electric vehicles

*regulate online marketplaces to ensure that all lithium-ion battery products sold in the UK meet designated safety standards

*establish a safe and accessible regime for disposing of lithium-ion batteries, including those that are damaged

*update Building Regulations guidance to reflect fire risks from storing and charging energy technologies in homes and public spaces

*ensure Fire and Rescue Service advice is considered and responded to when consulted about fire safety risks, including comments on compliance with the Fire Safety Order during Building Regulations consultations

*fund national public awareness campaigns to help people use and dispose of lithium-ion-battery-powered products on a safe basis

*invest in ongoing research to improve firefighting tactics and training for incidents involving energy technologies

*improve co-ordination across Government and regularly consult fire safety experts to support long-term risk planning

*Further information is available online at www.nfcc.org.uk