Arabic version: حرائق بطاريات الدراجات الكهربائية مرتبطة بـ18 وفاة في المملكة المتحدة

According to BBC News, fires involving e-bikes, e-scooters or their batteries caused 18 deaths and nearly 700 injuries across the UK between 2019 and 2025. BBC Verify found that more than 2,000 such fires were recorded over the period, with incidents rising each year.

The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests to UK fire and rescue services, showed the number of fires increased from 32 in 2019 to 605 in 2025. Nearly half began in homes or garages. London recorded 793 incidents over seven years, followed by Manchester with 128, West Yorkshire with 93, Merseyside with 74 and Avon with 73.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said the service was “increasingly concerned by the significant fire risk” posed by some vehicles. She said investigations had found that many fires involved second-hand vehicles or bikes modified with parts bought online, and urged people to be careful about where they purchase e-bikes and e-scooters.

Dr Simon Jones of the University of Warwick said faulty, over-charged or damaged lithium-ion batteries can release stored energy rapidly as flame jets and burning projectiles. In homes, he said, this can create fast-spreading fires that block escape routes and produce toxic fumes. Government guidance says the risk can rise when products do not meet safety rules, are damaged or modified, or are used with an incompatible charger. Consumers are advised to look for UKCE or CE safety marks.

BBC Verify said it contacted all 49 UK fire and rescue services and received comparable responses from 41. The analysis excluded clear arson cases and incidents involving mobility scooters. The government said it was strengthening online marketplace responsibilities, working with local authorities to remove unsafe products and promoting its “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign.