E-bikes and e-scooters

Safely using and charging e-bikes and e-scooters

1. When you must stop using or charging your lithium-ion battery
2. What you must do if your lithium-ion battery is a fire risk
3. Safely charging your e-bike or e-scooter
4. Maintaining your e-bike or e-scooter
5. Buying e-bikes and e-scooters
6. E-bike conversion kits
7. Disposing of a lithium-ion battery
8. Using your e-scooter

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The warning signs your e-bike or e-scooter battery is a fire hazard

A lithium-ion battery fire can develop quickly, within a few seconds, and often without warning.

You must stop using or charging your battery immediately, and unplug it from the power source, if you notice any of the following:

• Overheating: If the battery feels extremely hot to the touch
• Deformation: If the battery looks swollen. Similar signs include any type of lump or leaking from the device.
• Noise: If the battery is making hissing or cracking sounds.
• Smell: If you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery
• Performance: If the battery does not fully charge or is taking longer to charge than normal
• Smoke: If the battery or device is smoking.

What you must do if your lithium-ion battery is a fire risk

• If the battery or device starts smoking or catches fire, raise the alarm, get out, closing doors behind you if possible, stay out and call 999 immediately.
• Contact the device manufacturer or retailer for further advice.

Safely charging your e-bike or e-scooter battery

The majority of fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters have happened in homes. These fires often happen when batteries are on charge. There are a number of ways you can reduce the risk of fire when charging your e-bike or e-scooter battery in the home.

• Don’t charge e-bikes and e-scooters in bedrooms or where escape routes can be blocked – in hallways or by the front door, for example.
• Don’t leave your battery charging unattended, when you are out or while you are asleep.
• Don’t cover chargers or battery packs when charging
• Don’t overload sockets or use damaged extension leads or plugs.
• Don’t charge or store batteries in direct sunlight or in hot locations (above 45⁰C)
• Don’t charge batteries close to combustible materials or hazardous substances.
• Always unplug your charger when you have finished charging
• If your battery can be removed from your e-bike or e-scooter and charged separately, it should be charged on a hard flat surface where heat can disperse and in an area with good ventilation.
• For more detailed information about battery safety for your e-bike or e-scooter, see the guidance published by the Department for Transport at:

Battery safety guidance for e-cycles

Battery safety guidance for e-scooters and e-scooters

Maintaining your e-bike or e-scooter

• If you need a replacement battery or charger for your e-bike or e-scooter, check the manufacturer’s recommended replacements and buy directly from them or their recommended retailers.
• Regularly inspect your product and check for damage or warning signs that your battery might be damaged or failing.
• Don’t attempt to modify or tamper with your battery.
• Any repairs or maintenance should be carried out by a competent professional.
• If your e-bike, e-scooter, charger or battery products are  faulty ensure you report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. They can also provide you with advice on your consumer rights.
• You can report concerns with your products

Buying e-bikes and e-scooters

• Only buy e-bikes, e-scooters, chargers and batteries from reputable retailers and manufacturers.
• Check the product is marked with a CE or UKCA mark as required by the UK product safety regulations.
• Check product reviews before buying.
• Register your product with the manufacturer to validate any warranties and make it easier for manufacturers to contact you in the event of a safety issue, such as a product recall.
• For further advice on buying safe e-bikes or e-scooters, visit the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
• Check if products have been recalled by visiting the government Product Recalls and Alerts website.

E-bike conversion kits

Conversion kits enable standard pedal bicycles to be powered by an electric motor in the same ways as an e-bike.

• Ensure your pedal bike is a suitable type and in a suitable condition for a conversion.
• Only use a competent professional to convert a pedal bike to an e-bike.
• Installing a conversion kit yourself could lead to safety issues with your e-bike and increase the risk of fire.
• If you modify an e-bike to increase its power or speed, it may no longer be legal to use on public roads and may become unsafe.
• When a conversion kit is fitted you must consider the government guidance to make sure it meets the legal requirements before use. You can view the guidance on e-bike legal use requirements.

Disposing of a lithium-ion battery

• Lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of separately and must never be placed in the same bins as your regular rubbish or general recycling. Lithium-ion batteries incorrectly entering the waste system in this way cause dangerous fires in bin lorries, waste sorters and recycling plants.  
• Check for recycling services with the retailer or manufacturer where you bought the battery, conversion kit, e-bike or e-scooter, or with another retailer that sells similar products.  
• You can also find out how to dispose of your lithium-ion battery safely by checking your local authority’s website for information about the recycling of batteries, e-bikes and e-scooters in your area, or you can find your nearest recycling centre.

Using your e-bike

• Electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPC) – often referred to as ‘e-bikes’ -including ordinary pedal cycles converted to e-bikes, are treated as conventional pedal cycles when used on the road, provided they comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (Amendment) Regulations 1983.  You must be at least 14 years of age to ride an e-bike.
• E-bikes that do not meet the EAPC regulations are classed as motor vehicles and must comply with various technical standards and be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency to be used legally on the road. View the guidance on electric bike rules and electrically assisted pedal cycles for further information.

Using your e-scooter

• Currently, privately-owned e-scooters can only be used on private land. They cannot be used legally on public roads.
• Rental e-scooters can only be used on public land in areas participating in the Government’s rental e-scooter trials. You must hold at least a provisional driving license to rent and ride a trial e-scooter.
• If you use an e-scooter illegally, you could face a fine and penalty points on your licence, and the e-scooter could be impounded. You can find guidance on electric scooter rules here.