Electric Bike Batteries: Fire Risks And Prevention

Electric bike batteries have been known to catch fire, with the number of incidents rising. The lithium-ion batteries that are commonly found in e-bikes and scooters are highly inflammable and can cause devastating fires. The Federal Aviation Administration reported more than 60 incidents of lithium-ion batteries catching fire last year. There are several reasons why electric bike batteries catch fire, including mechanical damage, incorrect charging, and the use of a junk or incorrect charger.

The inflammable nature of lithium-ion batteries

Electric bike batteries are prone to catching fire due to the inflammable nature of lithium-ion batteries. Although incidents are rare, they are a problem that is hampering the diffusion of e-bikes. As a result, e-bike batteries cannot be transported on aircraft, trains, buses, ships, nor stocked in many places, including common dwellings like condos or hotels.

The latest breeds of batteries are less inflammable, so we expect the problem to be solved in the near future. However, until then, it is important to be aware of the potential fire hazard posed by e-bike batteries.

The causes of e-bike battery fires are always the same: mechanical damage, like that resulting from shock or a fall. Additionally, charging a battery with a junk or incorrect charger, or charging when the pack is hot, can also lead to fires.

When a battery catches fire, it first starts overheating and emitting smoke. The electrolytes feed the fire with their oxygen, creating a chain reaction that takes place in a few seconds. To extinguish the fire, a lot of water, or sand if possible, is required.

Mechanical damage

Electric bike batteries can catch fire due to mechanical damage, such as that resulting from shock or a fall. The inflammable nature of lithium-ion batteries is a problem, although serious incidents are quite rare. The latest breeds of batteries are less inflammable, so the problem is expected to be solved in the near future.

To prevent mechanical damage, it is important to avoid charging the battery when it is hot or using a junk or incorrect charger. Most chargers are set up to shut off at a particular voltage, but if there are dead or bad cells within the pack, the voltage may never reach the shut-off point, causing the battery to overheat.

It is also important to be aware of the restrictions on transporting electric bike batteries. Due to their inflammable nature, they cannot be transported on aircraft, trains, buses, or ships, nor can they be stocked in many places, including common dwellings like condos or hotels.

Charging issues

Electric bike batteries can catch fire due to charging issues. One of the main reasons for this is overcharging. If an electric bike is left plugged in for too long, it can catch fire. It is also dangerous to use an extension cord to charge an electric bike. Charging issues can also arise when the wrong charger is used for an electric bike. This can cause damage to the battery pack, increasing the risk of fire.

Another reason for charging-related fires is the modification of battery packs. If a battery pack is broken open to create a recharging system, it can be damaged, increasing the risk of fire. Fires caused by malfunctioning e-bike battery charging systems are a growing concern for firefighters in North America. In December 2022, a fire caused by an e-bike battery charger left 10 North Vancouver residents homeless when it destroyed the house they were renting.

To prevent charging-related fires, it is important to take safety precautions when charging electric bikes. It is recommended to store electric bikes at 80% charge to extend battery life and reduce the risk of fire. It is also important to visually inspect the battery for damage, as damage is the number one reason for a battery to catch fire.

Rising number of e-bikes

There has been a rise in the number of e-bikes in recent years, with their small size and low cost relative to gas-powered vehicles making them an attractive transportation and recreation option for millions of people. This is especially true for those living in urban areas where parking and traffic are challenges for drivers. Electric bikes have also been embraced by delivery drivers.

The rise in the number of e-bikes has led to an increase in the number of battery-related fires. The lithium-ion batteries commonly found in e-bikes and scooters have been reported to overheat, begin smoking, or catch fire. These incidents appear to be happening with increasing frequency, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In New York City, for example, the number of battery-related fires skyrocketed from 30 in 2019 to 220 in 2022, with six of these fires resulting in deaths.

The inflammable nature of lithium-ion batteries is a problem that hampers the diffusion of e-bikes. Consequently, they cannot be transported in aircraft, trains, buses, or ships, nor stocked in many places, including common dwellings like condos or hotels.

The causes of battery fires in e-bikes are often related to mechanical damage, such as that resulting from a shock or fall. Additionally, incorrect charging practices, such as using a junk or incorrect charger or charging when the battery pack is hot, can also lead to fires.

While the latest breeds of batteries are less inflammable, the problem of e-bike battery fires is expected to be solved in the not-too-distant future.

Difficulty extinguishing fires

Electric bike batteries can catch fire due to mechanical damage, such as shock or a fall. The electrolytes in the battery feed the fire with oxygen, creating a chain reaction that takes place in a few seconds. Charging the battery with a junk or incorrect charger, or charging when the battery is hot, can also cause fires.

It is difficult to extinguish these fires because of the inflammable nature of lithium-ion batteries. A large amount of water, or sand, is needed to put out the flames. As a result, electric bikes cannot be transported on aircraft, trains, buses or ships, nor can they be stored in many places, including condos or hotels.

The latest breeds of batteries are less inflammable, so it is hoped that this problem will be solved in the near future.

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