London Sees Record Surge in E Bike and E Scooter Fires

London recorded a sharp rise in fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters last year, prompting renewed safety warnings and calls for tougher regulation. New figures from London Fire Brigade show that 206 fires involving the vehicles were recorded across the capital during 2025, the highest annual total to meansured. The incidents resulted in two deaths last year and bring the total number of fatalities connected to such fires to five since 2023. Fire officials say the blazes are most commonly caused by faulty lithium ion batteries, chargers, or conversion kits, many of which are bought online or second hand. The brigade says the scale of the increase highlights growing risks linked to the rapid spread of battery powered transport in homes, flats, and shared residential buildings.

Firefighters were called to an average of seventeen incidents each month, with the data showing 171 fires involving e bikes and 35 involving e scooters. Lewisham and Southwark recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, and Westminster. In one case in Hither Green, a battery failure caused an explosion inside a first floor flat, blowing out windows and collapsing internal walls. The fire blocked the main escape route, forcing three occupants to jump to safety. One resident described the blast as feeling like a grenade, while his grandmother required hospital treatment for a week. Investigators later confirmed that the fire had been caused by a failing battery in an e scooter stored inside the home.

The London Fire Brigade has warned that fires involving lithium ion batteries can develop extremely quickly and burn with intense heat, making escape difficult. Officials say many of the batteries involved do not meet recognised safety standards, particularly those used in modified bikes or cheaper imports. Fire chiefs are now urging the government to accelerate the introduction of stricter product standards and enforcement powers. While new laws introduced last year gave authorities the ability to hold online marketplaces more accountable, the brigade says further secondary legislation is needed to regulate batteries and conversion kits more tightly before more lives are put at risk.

Concerns about the trend have also been raised by members of the London Assembly, who say the issue has been escalating for several years. London Assembly fire committee members have previously warned ministers about the dangers posed by unsafe batteries and the lack of consistent regulation. They argue that despite previous alerts, the number of incidents continues to rise, placing pressure on emergency services and increasing risks for residents in high density housing. Fire officials say they will continue public awareness campaigns alongside calls for legislative action, stressing that without stronger controls, fires linked to personal electric vehicles are likely to remain a growing danger across the capital.