The London Fire Brigade responded to a record-breaking number of e-bike and e-scooter fires during 2025, with new data revealing a concerning surge in incidents linked to faulty lithium-ion batteries and conversion kits. Firefighters attended a total of 206 blazes involving these vehicles last year, marking a significant increase and highlighting urgent safety concerns.
Alarming Statistics and Fatal Consequences
Official figures collated by the London Fire Brigade show that 171 e-bike fires and 35 e-scooter fires were recorded in the capital in 2025 alone. Tragically, two Londoners lost their lives in these blazes, bringing the total number of fatalities connected to such incidents to five since 2023. The brigade reports that firefighters are now attending an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day on average, with several incidents already occurring in early 2026.
Primary Causes and Regulatory Gaps
Senior fire safety officials attribute the rise in fires primarily to faulty or poorly manufactured vehicles, often purchased online or second-hand. The accidents are frequently caused by failures in lithium-ion batteries, conversion kits, and chargers. Deputy Commissioner Spencer Sutcliff emphasised the explosive nature of these fires, stating they present unique safety challenges due to non-compliant or damaged batteries and the use of mismatched charging equipment.
While new legislation introduced last year granted the government power to hold online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon accountable, the London Fire Brigade is calling for urgent secondary legislation to establish stricter battery standards and regulate conversion kits. The organisation argues that current regulations are insufficient to prevent dangerous products from reaching consumers.
Borough Breakdown and Personal Testimonies
Geographical analysis reveals that Lewisham and Southwark experienced the highest number of incidents, with 16 fires each in 2025. They were followed by Tower Hamlets with 15, Lambeth with 12, and Westminster with 11. These statistics underscore the widespread nature of the problem across different London boroughs.
A Survivor's Harrowing Experience
One particularly dramatic incident occurred in Hither Green, Lewisham, in March 2025, when a lithium-ion battery in an e-scooter failed catastrophically. Jahmell Campbell described the experience as "like a grenade had been thrown into the flat." The explosion caused a partition wall to collapse into a bedroom and blocked escape routes, forcing Mr Campbell, his father, and his grandmother to jump from their first-floor flat to safety.
"I jumped out of the front first-floor flat window to escape," Mr Campbell recalled. "My dad didn't know where I was and could not hear me shouting to him. I tried to go back into the building and go up the stairs but I knew if I opened the door to the flat, the fire would come out – the door handle was so hot." His grandmother required hospitalisation for a week following the traumatic event.
Political and Industry Responses
Zack Polanski, Chair of the London Assembly Fire Committee, expressed serious concerns about the persistent and rising nature of the problem. "Despite several people already losing their lives in London, and dozens being injured due to failures of e-bike lithium-ion batteries, it is evident that the issue is persistent and rising, which is a serious concern," he told reporters.
Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, described the record number of fires as "a stark warning that the current regulatory system is failing to keep people safe." She advocated for mandatory third-party certification for e-bike batteries, stronger standards for conversion kits, and new laws making online marketplaces legally responsible for product safety.
Industry Initiatives and Campaigns
E-Bike Positive, an initiative run by trade associations for UK e-bike suppliers and retailers, called for urgent government action on three fronts: stopping online marketplaces from selling unsafe products, reforming gig economy delivery sectors to ensure rider safety, and closing legal loopholes that allow dangerous non-road-legal e-bikes to be sold.
The London Fire Brigade launched its #ChargeSafe campaign in 2023 to raise awareness about risks associated with poorly built batteries. However, industry figures stress that more education is needed, particularly for gig economy riders who often use modified e-bikes for work.
Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Fire, reiterated the Mayor's concern about the rising number of fires. "We continue to urge Londoners to only buy batteries and conversion kits from reputable sellers and to follow the London Fire Brigade's e-bike and e-scooter guidance," he stated, adding that work continues with government to deliver clearer national legislation and tougher product standards.
