Every day, thousands of people rely on electric bikes, scooters, hoverboards, or other e-mobility devices to get them where they need to be. But the intense conditions these devices encounter in daily use — or through unsafe storage or charging practices — can increase the risk of damaging the batteries powering them. Damaged e-bike batteries are at greater risk of entering thermal runaway, an uncontrollable, self-heating state that can lead to smoke, fire, or explosion.
Find answers to five common questions to help prevent the risk of battery fires in e-bikes and e-scooters.
How can I tell what e-bike battery I have? What batteries and chargers are safest?
Most batteries powering electric bikes, scooters, and hoverboards are lithium-ion batteries. You can often find the battery type listed on the battery case, in the instruction manual, or marked on your device by icons or symbols that note “Li-Ion” or “Li+.”
Only buy batteries and chargers that have been evaluated to safety standards, such as UL 2849, UL 2849 or UL 2272, and that have been approved for use with your device by the manufacturer. This means that the battery has been designed and constructed according to rigorous safety requirements. Counterfeit and unapproved replacement batteries do not offer the same protections as those that conform to safety standards and pose a higher risk of thermal runaway. Follow all instructions and markings provided by the manufacturer to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury.
How should I charge an e-bike battery?
为电动滑板车、电动自行车或悬浮滑板设备充电时：
- 给电池充电时务必遵守制造商的说明
- 只能使用制造商提供或推荐的充电器 - 避免使用假冒充电器
- Never charge your device near an exit, as it could block your escape in the event of a fire
- 不要给电池过度充电。在 UL Standards & Engagement 最近进行的一项调查中，超过一半（55%）的电动自行车车主承认，他们在电池充满电后仍将其插在车上。
- 切勿在无人看管的情况下为电池充电或在睡眠中通宵充电
- 请勿在极热或极冷的温度下为电池充电
- 在电池完全失去电力之前为其充电
Can e-bike or e-scooter batteries catch fire even when not charging?
E-bike or e-scooter batteries can catch fire even when they are not charging if they have sustained damage that would cause them to enter thermal runaway which can lead to a fire. A thermal runaway incident can take place hours or even days after an e-bike has sustained damage or been exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures. If an e-bike has been in an accident or fall, owners should take extreme caution.
电动自行车、悬浮滑板和滑板车车主应经常检查电池是否有物理损坏，如刺穿或凹陷、泄漏、肿胀，以及其他热失控迹象，包括电池触感极热、异常气味、电池冒烟、嘶嘶声或爆裂声。如果设备停放在室外无人看管，可能会在机主不知情的情况下发生损坏。
Can you place an electric scooter or e-bike near a heater?
Electric scooters or e-bikes should not be stored or charged near heat sources, direct sunlight, or in areas that exceed manufacturer-specified temperature limits, as extreme temperatures can cause lithium-ion batteries to overheat and increase the risk of a battery fire.
Where can I learn more about e-bike and e-scooter battery fire safety?
Visit our e-bike and e-scooter safety hub to view lithium-ion battery fire statistics, facts, related resources, and how UL Standards & Engagement is working to reduce the risk.