E-bike and e-scooter battery fires cause of 18 deaths and nearly 700 injuries
New data from the UK reveals that fires caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries have resulted in 18 deaths and nearly 700 injuries since 2019. Authorities are warning the public about the dangers of using second-hand vehicles or unregulated conversion kits.
Why it matters
The rapid rise in battery-related fires highlights a growing public safety concern associated with the increasing popularity of personal electric mobility devices.
By Aidan McNamee BBC Verify Published 19 minutes ago Eighteen people have died and nearly 700 have been injured in fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters, new data shows.
Fatalities recorded by fire and rescue services across the UK from these fires include cases where people became trapped inside burning homes, died while trying to escape from a fire out of a high window, or from inhaling toxic smoke.
More than 2,000 fires were started by e-bikes, e-scooters or their batteries between 2019 and 2025, Freedom of Information requests made by BBC Verify show.
The number of incidents has risen year-on-year and nearly half the fires started in homes or garages, the data shows.
London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha told BBC Verify the service is "increasingly concerned by the significant fire risk" some of these vehicles can pose.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in