- E-bike and e-scooter fires reached record highs across the UK last year, with 432 e-bike blazes and 147 e-scooter fires reported, marking significant increases from previous years.
- These dangerous fires are frequently caused by failing batteries, conversion kits or chargers, particularly from “cut-price products” purchased via online marketplaces with less stringent regulation.
- The fires can spread rapidly and produce toxic vapour, leading to fatalities, such as the death of Eden Abera Siem in London due to a charging e-bike battery.
- Organisations like Electrical Safety First and London Fire Brigade have expressed serious concerns, calling for urgent action and highlighting the risks posed by substandard batteries and accessories.
- The Government has launched consultations to boost product safety, proposing that online marketplaces be legally required to prevent and remove dangerous products, while Transport for London has banned e-scooters and some e-bikes due to fire risks.
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