Regulation updates - E-Cycles & E-Scooters

The government has updated their guidance on fire safety in relation to E-Cycles and E-Scooters. We know that E-scooters and Cycles help to make life easier and more accessible, however with these appliances also come risks which need to be managed correctly.

We urge you to follow our guidance on the safe storage, charging and operation of these vehicles in order to ensure Trident is fire-safe space for all of our residents.

Lithium Batteries and Risks

The limited data currently available suggests that lithium battery fires involving e-scooters and e-cycles are increasing year on year. Sadly, these incidents have involved a number of fatalities and serious injuries.

Reported figures collated from 38 fire and rescue services suggest that total incidents in recent years were at least:

2020: 77
2021: 159
2022: 227
2023: 338 (forecast)

The destructive nature of lithium battery fires often means that precise details of the vehicle and battery involved are hard to establish after a fire.

However, preliminary information from fire services suggests:

• risk is highest while batteries are charging
• e-cycles from established brands purchased from reputable retailers as a complete system, and used in accordance with instructions, are understood to present a low fire risk
• the London Fire Brigade has identified ‘gig economy’ delivery riders as a particularly high-risk user group, due to widespread use of owner-modified e-cycles
• visibly damaged, bulging, smelly or leaking battery packs pose an extremely high fire risk and should not be permitted in premises or vehicles

You can mitigate these risks by adhering to all guidance produced by our home safety team, check our our Resident Home Safety Handbook for further home safety guidance.