Lithium-ion Battery Fires: a Hot Topic 🔥

A five-alarm blaze in The Bronx this month has brought renewed national media attention to the possible dangers of lithium-ion batteries which power many e-bikes and electric micro-mobility devices. Such high-powered batteries are driving a revolution in transportation giving users access to lightweight, affordable, and climate-friendly alternatives to internal combustion vehicles. But the profusion of these devices and their batteries presents a double-edged sword, users can get around their cities with more speed and ease, but the many high-powered batteries pose a real fire risk if they are unregulated or misused. 

We are strong believers in the power of electric micro-mobility, particularly electric bicycles, to remake our urban environment and combat climate change, but we must also recognize the hazards presented by the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries. Let’s identify the causes of lithium-ion battery fires, and lay out some best practices to mitigate the risk of fire. 

Why Do Lithium-ion Battery Fires Occur?

Under normal conditions, lithium-ion batteries safely power devices all around us, but the increased power demands of electric mobility devices require larger and more powerful batteries which can be extremely flammable in the off chance of malfunction. Malfunctions happen in batteries that are overcharged, overheated, damaged, or defective. Reputable lithium-ion batteries and chargers have a built-in battery management system that keeps batteries from becoming overcharged or overheated while charging. However, unregulated, used, or refurbished batteries and chargers are more likely to overheat or suffer malfunctions such as short circuits due to tampering and production defects. Such lithium-ion batteries pose the greatest danger if they are being charged unattended. The danger of battery fires can be compounded when many such batteries or battery-powered vehicles are being charged in close proximity or in proximity to other flammable materials. 

How Concerned Should You Be?

The recent spate of fires in New York City reflects the unique conditions in which e-bikes and electric micro-mobility devices are used there. Much e-bike and micro-mobility usage in New York City is driven by delivery workers, who for economic reasons, may resort to inexpensive unregulated vehicles, batteries, and chargers. The proliferation and heavy use of unregulated vehicles, batteries, and chargers have created a literal tinderbox in some buildings. The culprits in these fires have often been inexpensive, low-quality imported electric scooters and bicycles which do not meet safety and testing standards set by regulatory bodies. Proposed regulations in New York and elsewhere seek to protect consumers from these unsafe products. Such regulations are long overdue because these products not only endanger consumers but make it harder for reputable manufacturers of safe products to compete and win the public’s trust. 

Should lithium-ion battery vehicle users and property owners in Pittsburgh be particularly worried about the risk of such fires? Not necessarily. There are much fewer unregulated electric micro-mobility vehicles in use here and the ones that are used are not being stored or charged in the same density as they are in New York City. However, there are some general precautions that every lithium-ion battery-powered electric bike or micro-mobility user should take to avoid the risk of fires:

Protect Yourself with Best Practices

• Only purchase or use e-bikes, mobility devices, batteries, and chargers from reputable manufacturers that conform to UL 2849 standards. Contact the dealer or manufacturer of an e-bike or electric mobility device to find out more.
• Follow all manufacturer’s directions for the use and care of your battery and vehicle.
• Do not use damaged, modified, or incompatible batteries or chargers. Contact your local bike shop if you need a replacement battery or charger.
• Never attempt to modify or dismantle your battery.
• Do not use a battery that is cracked, leaking, bulging, or otherwise showing signs of damage. 
• Do not charge batteries unattended or past full charge.
• Do not cover a battery or charger with anything while charging.
• Store and charge batteries inside at room temperature.
• Store e-bikes and vehicles inside to protect electronics from corrosion.
• Store batteries between a 30% and 60% charge.
• Ideally, charge batteries on a wire rack away from flammable material and near a working smoke detector and an ABC fire extinguisher. 
• Never block doorways or exits with an electric bike, vehicle, or battery
• Do not throw away or discard lithium-ion batteries in general recycling. Contact Call2Recycle or an electronics recycler to properly recycle old lithium batteries. 

Learn More

You can find out more about lithium-ion battery and e-mobility safety at the Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC). Learn more about safely purchasing and using e-bikes in our upcoming E-BikePGH Guide hitting the shelves this spring!