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I have an electric bike in my garage. The battery on that bike contains enough energy to propel my 100 Kilo self, plus the relatively heavy Pedego Stretch Cargo Bike, and whatever cargo I am hauling (often more than 50 kilos of SCUBA gear) at 20 MPH (32 KPH) for …. more than an hour… (I have never actually exhausted that battery.)
The amount of energy needed to push me, my cargo, the bike, at 20 mph for an hour is something any physicist can calculate. I cannot. But I will just say it is a LOT of energy crammed into a battery box about the size of two cigar boxes (or one shoe box, size 13, for those who do not smoke cigars).
Crazy Fast! The All New 2023 Bosch CX Race Limited Edition
And at 20 mph, I am drawing current at a glorious rate (more than 30 Amps) that is heating wires, connectors, circuit boards, and despite a very efficient motor….the motor.
As recently as a couple decades ago, using a lithium manganese battery in such a fashion would have risked of starting a battery fire. Today, on that bike, a fire is extremely unlikely.
Electric Bike Battery Fires and How to Prevent Them [VIDEO]
By Edward Benjamin, Lead Instructor of the Light Electric Vehicle Association Technician Training.
For a battery of any sort to catch fire is rare. For an electric bicycle battery to catch fire is, perhaps, even more rare.
There are about 220 million electric bikes in daily service around the globe, and fires are so rare as to attract [Read more…] about Electric Bike Battery Fires and How to Prevent Them [VIDEO]
E-Bike News: Envo Stax Lightweight Speedster, California E-bike License Law and Lots !
E-bike safety is much in the news this week. We look at the possibility of licensing e-bikers in California as a reaction against recent fatalities in the area and also at the latest recommendations from a UK charity for clamping down on the poor quality batteries and chargers that cause e-bike fires.
This is all about making e-biking safer, obviously a good thing – but that is not to say it is inherently unsafe. Quite the opposite. Many millions of miles are safely travelled on e-bikes every year but it’s the isolated incidents that make the headlines. Buy a good quality e-bike in the first place, look after it and charge it properly and ride safely – and you are highly unlikely to have any problems, just enjoyment…
- The 42lb Envo Stax is a slimline speedster
- Bill to require e-bike licences for those with without full driving licences arrives in California state legislature
- Forthcoming Quietkat Lynx will have a two speed motor
- Cowboy reduce price with new Core model
- UK charity make battery safety recommendations
- Battery tech roundup
- Lyft may sell e-bike and e-scooter division
E-Bike Batteries Are Causing Fires: Is Your E-Bike Safe?
Repeated fires have prompted the FDNY to release recommendations for the care and keeping of e-bike and other lithium-ion batteries.
- A spate of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries throughout New York City on April 21 has prompted the FDNY to issue lithium-ion battery safety tips, including for e-bike batteries.
- Similarly, a Florida bike shop burned down on April 9, after a refurbished e-bike battery was left on the charger overnight.
- E-bike batteries can be fire hazards when used and stored incorrectly. Below, we discuss how to use an e-bike battery correctly.
Between New York City’s fire department (FDNY) issuing a warning about e-bike batteries and a Florida bike shop going up in flames after a battery was left unattended on a charger overnight, it’s been a worrisome week for e-bike owners. But don’t panic: Your e-bike is likely safe, but consider this a warning to check your e-bike battery charging and storage practices.
Because lithium ion batteries—commonly found in everything from cell phones and laptops, to e-bikes, scooters, and electric cars—can store a large amount of energy, improper care and keeping of the batteries can result in fires.
“If using a lithium-ion battery, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device. If a battery overheats, discontinue use immediately,” the FDNY tweeted earlier this week.
From Bicycling
New York Daily News reports that the FDNY was called to the scene of four different fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, all on April 21. The batteries were used in an array of vehicles ranging between electric motorbikes and scooters. The vehicles pictured in the fire department’s tweets are all motorbikes, rather than e-bikes—but e-bike batteries have caused fires in the past.
The largest of the four fires reportedly happened due to several batteries stored on a work shelf. While no deaths were reported, 12 people were injured in the fires. And the FDNY issued the grim reminder that four people were killed last year in fires caused by these batteries.
How do you prevent charging incidents like this from happening to your e-bike? Avoid aftermarket and off-brand or bargain batteries for your bike, first of all. Stick to the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. Furthermore, e-bike batteries that are charging should never be left unattended. If you’re charging your e-bike in the garage, set a timer to remind yourself to unplug it when it’s done, and if you’re leaving the house, unplug it and finish charging it when you return.
Bike shop owners should be just as careful. Unfortunately, earlier this month, Andante Bike Shop in Cutler Bay, Florida, learned this the hard way. The shop was destroyed on April 9 when a rebuilt battery was left on a charger overnight. While a normal e-bike battery from a reputable brand shouldn’t set itself ablaze when left too long on the charger, a malfunctioning battery is a serious fire hazard. Inexpensive lithium-ion batteries also present a serious risk of malfunctioning. Regardless, it’s important to never leave any e-bike battery charging overnight or without supervision.
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It may sound excessive, but considering the number of buildings destroyed just this month due to these batteries, it’s worth taking precautions. New York Daily News reported that in the U.S. alone, charging lithium-ion batteries caused 330 fires from 2015 to 2018.
Human Powered Solutions provided Bicycle Retailer a detailed set of instructions for bike shop e-bike charging protocol, and you may want to take some of their advice for your own at-home e-bike charging station.
How to Avoid an Ebike Battery Fire? Follow These Crucial Steps!
Almost all modern electric bikes run on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are found in many of our electronics, such as phones, laptops, and other e-vehicles.
Unfortunately, while this technology has numerous benefits, allowing a lot of energy to be stored in a small unit, it also brings a higher risk of fire if not handled appropriately.
Many high-profile e-bike battery fires have occurred in the past year or two, leading to the deaths of several people and injuries to many more.
Due to these incidents, there has been increased awareness about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries when mishandled or poorly made.
As a result, regulators are now pushing to implement laws that ban the sale of dangerous batteries and provide safe charging stations for owners.
This article will outline how e-bike fires start and what you can do to prevent them so you can stay safe and continue to enjoy your electric bike.
Why Are E-Bike Fires Becoming Frequent?
An explosion in the use of electric bikes over the past few years, especially in major cities, has led to many people trying to find cheap alternatives to buying, repairing, or tampering with the bike’s electronics.
Likewise, with more people using the technology, the sheer amount of these products in circulation will inevitably lead to more e-bike battery fires from mishandling.
What Is Causing E-Bike Battery Fires?
Lithium-ion batteries store lots of energy and are made up of highly flammable chemicals. Check out our complete guide on ebike batteries to learn how they work.
If the battery is damaged or overheats, the energy in the battery can ignite and cause a fast and aggressive fire that is hard to control. In addition, the chemicals that ignite in these batteries cannot be extinguished with water.
Most fatal fires occur when the battery is charging and unattended. There are several reasons that these fires occur. Thankfully, once you know what they are, you can take the appropriate steps to avoid them.
One of the most common causes of e-bike battery fires is overheating. This can occur if the battery is left to charge near a heat source or in direct sunlight.
If this happens indoors and the battery is beside other flammable materials, a severe and often lethal fire can spread rapidly through the building.
If a battery is damaged through an accident or after being dropped, the energy inside may become more volatile, increasing susceptibility to an e-bike fire if the battery gets even slightly too hot.
Off-brand batteries without certification by independent sources or subject to strict quality control are more likely to catch fire.
Likewise, charging your existing battery with a cheap replacement charger or the wrong brand can cause fires.
Tampering can also lead to electric bike fires. This includes penetrating the plastic case, taking it apart, or trying to modify the battery in any way.
How to Prevent E-Bike Battery Fires?
Again, preventing electric bike fires is possible if you follow care guidelines and best practices established by the manufacturer and regulators.
Charge the Battery Only When You’re Present
Most deadly e-bike battery fires occur when a battery is left to charge unattended. For example, leaving it overnight while you’re sleeping or stepping out of the home and leaving it plugged in.
Source: Huntington Beach Police Department
These fires spread quickly, so every second is essential to controlling them.
Only charge your battery when you’re present, ideally in the same room.
Use the Charger That Comes with Your E-Bike
Don’t use any third-party chargers or chargers of different electric bikes. If yours breaks, buy a replacement from the bike manufacturer or the e-bike system manufacturer directly. Double-check it’s the appropriate one before buying.
Source: London Fire Brigade
Charge the Battery Away from Flammable Materials
When you leave the battery to charge, place it away from flammable materials and objects that will ignite rapidly in the event of an e-bike fire.
For example, don’t charge it on the carpet, beside the couch, or on a desk full of papers or books.
Choose the Charging Location Carefully
Place your electric bike and charge your battery in an area away from exits so that you can quickly evacuate if an e-bike battery fire starts and you can’t control it with an extinguisher.
Never charge your ebike in a place that is located between you and the exit.
Look for Batteries That Have UL (Underwriter Laboratories) Certification
Quality control and certification are important for batteries as they guarantee a level of care in construction and design that means a lower likelihood of an e-bike fire (once you handle the battery appropriately).
Cheap off-label batteries typically don’t have these certifications or high levels of quality control.
Assess Your Battery After a Crash
The internal cells of a battery can become damaged in the event of a crash. This damage isn’t always obvious by looking at the exterior.
Give the battery a thorough examination if you crash your e-bike, and err on the side of caution by replacing it if there is any notable damage, as it could significantly increase the chance of an e-bike battery fire.
Don’t Use Off-Brand Replacement Batteries and Chargers
Again, off-brand replacements not explicitly designed for your e-bike are among the most common causes of e-bike battery fires.
Electric bike fires are uncommon in systems made by reputable manufacturers such as Bosch and Shimano, as quality control is extremely high.
Always replace old or broken components with those from the same manufacturer.
Charge in Fireproof Containers
A trick to minimize the chance of e-bike battery fires spreading if a battery does ignite is to charge and store it in a fireproof container or area. Examples include a BBQ grill, fire pit, ammunition box, fire blanket, metal trash can, or clay pot.
The problem in New York
To date this year. 130 reported fires involving lithium-ion batteries in electric bikes and scooters in New York have been reported. Five people died. Comparatively, this time last year saw only 65 ebike and escooter battery fires.
It’s worth stressing that these fires make up only a small percentage of all blazes in New York. It’s also highly likely that the growth in ebikes and escooters residing in the city is responsible for the increase.
But the fires are still a cause for concern, resulting in property damage, injuries, and less frequently, death. The ferociousness of a lithium-ion battery fires means multiple trucks are called, diverting attention away from other emergency services.
Further, the fires are indicative of a bigger issue facing the city.
New York has over 65,000 delivery workers, many of whom use ebikes. Gig economy workers take their ebike to limits beyond a daily commute, with all the risks outsourced to the riders.
Ebikes are ridden for hours at a pop and in extreme weather conditions such as high heat, rain, hurricanes. and snow, all of which can degrade a battery casing, increasing the likelihood of battery damage.
For many riders, the only place they charge is at home in their cheap apartment. The problem compounds when delivery workers share apartments, store their ebikes inside, and all charge their batteries overnight. And in a long shift, a rider may need more than one battery.
Earlier this year, journalist Wilfred Chan visited an ebike shop in New York equipped with powerboards charging multiple batteries for delivery riders. Staff offered her a charging spot for 50 a month.
Amazingly, there have been no fires there to date.
Is cost-efficiency to blame?
Except for some rental schemes I’ll share with you tomorrow, most riders have to pay for their own bikes, batteries, and chargers, making cheap or second-hand ebikes. and batteries appealing.
Reputable brands undergo extensive performance and safety testing to comply with UL solutions UL 2849, the Standard for Electrical Systems for eBikes. However, black market or cheap purchases may not include a certified Battery Management System that stops charging when a battery is full or overheating.
According to David TenHouten, VP, of vehicle engineering at micromobility company Bird, there’s also an issue of how far an operator pushes the boundaries within the safe cell parameters.
ebike batteries dont just catch fire what are they talking about?
Vendors can push things right to the edge, or you can be a little conservative. Basically, if you’re more aggressive, you can get more performance out of the cells and push them farther and get a little farther range, but you’re getting into the risk boundaries at the edges.
The problem compounds with age as “these batteries are not getting any younger. They’re actually just getting a lot older very quickly.”
Charlie Welch, CEO of Zapbatt. stresses that the problem is that manufacturers set specs for their cells that you’re supposed to follow pretty strictly.
Often with ebikes and escooters, everyone rides them like they stole them. It puts the cell in a worst-case scenario every day, like somebody jumps on it, guns at full power, then later puts it in a warehouse, fully charged, and lets it sit there all night. Which from a cell perspective is where it doesn’t want to be.
Worse, riders may incorrectly convert a regular bike to an ebike or follow a YouTube tutorial to increase battery power or speed.
Unfortunately, cheap ebikes and repurposed bikes and chargers aren’t the only culprits.
In 2015, Pedego recalled every model they ever sold due to battery fire potential.
Specialized Bicycle Components has recalled electric mountain bike battery packs several times due to fire hazards.
Santa Cruz Bicycles issued a recall notice for Heckler 9 electric bikes sold between January and March 2022.
I spoke to Jim “Jimmy Mac” McIlvain, a writer, editor, and bike expert tracking ebike fires. He notes that:
“Established companies like Specialized, Santa Cruz, and Pedego stand behind their products. But the number of e-bike companies selling to US consumers is well over 181 brands ! Brands you probably have never heard of.
If one of those brands ignites a catastrophic home or forest fire, they will simply vanish, leaving no recourse for the consumer or municipality.”
To date, there is no evidence that fire brigades are tracking the make of ebike batteries or charges that catch fire.
According to McIlvain, neither he nor his wife would charge their ebikes inside their home, noting, “And if a battery were to be dropped or damaged, we would never use it again.”
So what is New York City doing about the problem?
Inner-city residents reap the benefits of the convenience of gig economy riders. Yet the city has made no effort to provide infrastructure like charging stations and secure places for storage.
Instead, a lot of talk fails to get to the heart of the problem and acknowledge that micromobility as a movement is expanding rapidly with no sign of abating.
The New York Housing Authority recently announced a proposed change to government housing regulations that residents and their guests may not keep or charge ebikes or ebike batteries in apartments or common areas. This has the potential for illicit underground storage schemes (yes, with batteries all charging overnight) — this makes my head spin.
New York’s Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTC) is considering a ban on ebikes and escooters. This is despite the fact there have to date been no relating fires in the transport network.
Interestingly, New York Councilwoman Gale Brewer proposes legislation to ban second-use or refurbished batteries.
This won’t do much to stop the fires caused by new store-bought ebikes. She also suggests that delivery posters and delivery apps should make riders aware of potential battery risks. She also sees a need for fireproof storage areas with charging ports (not sure who will pay for that).
Brewer’s most interesting idea is to call Congress to convene a hearing to push for federal legislation to hold battery manufacturers accountable.
McIlvain believes that it is inevitable that the government will need to step in, noting that “the toaster in my kitchen, the nightlight in the hallway, and all the power tools in the garage need to meet a federally recognized safety standard, so why don’t ebikes?”
What’s clear is that micromoblity is rapidly gaining momentum, and this is a complex problem that requires a complex solution encompassing manufacturers, riders, delivery services, and city officials.
Story by Cate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, Smart ci (show all) Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, Smart cities, and the future of alternative energy sources like electric batteries, solar, and hydrogen.
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