The Fastest Growing Fire Hazards Are DIY E-bike Conversions

A sharp increase in property fires linked to DIY e-bike conversion kits has prompted urgent warnings from fire services across the UK. These kits are now considered one of the country’s fastest growing fire hazards as e-bikes continue to rise in popularity. Recent figures reveal a troubling surge in house fires caused by faulty e-bike conversion kits, with London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley calling them the “fastest growing fire trend” in London. Nationwide, fire services have reported a 204 percent increase in e-bike fires over the past two years, with 40 percent of these incidents in London traced to unsafe battery packs, according to an ITV News report.

Many of these fires are linked to low-quality conversion kits, which typically include a battery, motor, charger, and control equipment. These kits, often purchased online to cheaply convert regular bicycles into electric ones, frequently feature poorly installed, damaged, or incompatible components particularly batteries and chargers, making them highly dangerous. Deputy Commissioner Pugsley has called for immediate government action to enforce stricter safety regulations for these products and remove hazardous items from the market.

“When one of these fires starts, it can turn into a fireball in less than five seconds, much faster than a typical fire,” he warned. In 2023, London alone saw 143 e-bike fires and 36 e-scooter fires, resulting in three deaths and over 60 injuries. Nationwide, faulty lithium battery explosions claimed 11 lives that year. With e-bikes becoming increasingly popular, safety must be a top priority. The London Fire Brigade strongly advises against using DIY conversion kits and battery packs. To stay safe, they recommend:

• Always purchasing from a reputable seller.
• If buying a conversion kit, only purchase a complete set with a matched battery and charger, ensuring it’s installed by a qualified professional.
• Confirming that the battery voltage matches the charger voltage.

Following these precautions can help significantly reduce the risk of fire incidents associated with e-bike conversions. E-bikes represent a new fire safety risk factor for both commercial and non-commercial locations. with sales having almost tripled over the past five years with only around 55,000 e-bikes being sold in 2017. Any fire risk assessment will now need to include e-bikes as a relatively new factor when assessing fire safety aspects.

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