Road safety firms are calling for increased regulation around lithium-ion batteries after new figures have emerged linking them to an increased risk of fires.
According to a freedom of information request by business insurer QBE, UK fire services responded to three fires per day linked to the batteries in 2023 – a 46% increase from 2022. The batteries are used in various electric vehicles, including cars, buses, bikes and scooters.
The fires typically occur as a result of ‘thermal runaway’, an irreversible overheating often caused by impact damage or over-charging. They are highly explosive, posing a risk of serious injury or death in extreme circumstances.
The data points to E-bikes as the main driver behind the jump in incidents. There were 158 recorded fires caused by electric bikes in 2022, a number which rocketed to 270 last year, representing a 70% increase. In comparison, the number of such fires caused by electric scooters rose by just 7%.
Fires involving electric buses rose by just over a fifth (22%), while those involving electric cars increased by a third, although this could be attributed to the growing number of these vehicles now on the road.
Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE Insurance, described the rise in battery-related fires as concerning: “We see more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries, which is concerning. They burn differently from normal fires, so people attempting to put them out run more risks of injury.
“We welcome the adoption of electric vehicles. To help with a safer roll-out, we are calling for more support for fire services to help improve education in dealing with the new risk profile.
“The UK government needs to impose more stringent safety requirements to reduce fire frequency. Increasing awareness of proper maintenance, storage and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is paramount to protecting people and property.”
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