Lithium-ion Battery Fires Increase, Prompting Safety Warnings for E-Scooters and E-Bikes
Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have seen a rapid increase in recent years, with over 70% of these incidents involving a charger within the last three years. These rechargeable batteries are commonly found in a wide array of electrical items, including e-scooters, e-bikes, mobile phones, and laptops. While generally safe during normal use, lithium-ion batteries present a significant fire risk when they are overcharged, left on charge for too long, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged. Damage can occur from dropping devices or crashes involving e-bikes or e-scooters. When damaged, these batteries can overheat and ignite without warning, leading to fires that spread quickly and are difficult to extinguish, often causing widespread damage. The fires are particularly dangerous due to their rapid spread and intensity.
