E-bikes are great for all outdoor purposes, but are not indestructible. Owning an e-bike comes with responsibilities, which include proper battery care. If you neglect battery care, you could risk an e-bike battery fire involving lithium batteries. Lithium batteries store a significant amount of energy and can explode if mishandled.
Are you buying an e-bike for the first time and want to learn how to prevent the battery from catching fire? You are in the right place. In this blog post, we have listed some practical safety tips on how to avoid your e-bike battery from catching fire during hot-swapping or charging.
Why Do E-bikes Catch Fire?
Several reasons may cause the sudden flames and fire outbreaks seen in some e-bike batteries, but they are preventable. Some common causes are overcharging or using an incompatible charger. This charger has no protective circuit, which can lead to overheating in the e-bike battery.
Another reason is the thermal reaction and physical damage. Physical damage or crushing occurs due to overheating of the battery cells. However, this could be a chain reaction in the adjacent cell, which leads to fire or explosion.
Lastly, a manufacturer’s defect can play a major role. Low-quality or uncertified batteries from untested brands often lack safety certification. Such batteries may be of poor quality, thereby increasing the risk of e-bike battery fires.
Safety Tips to Prevent E-BIKE Battery Fires
Here are some simple guidelines to follow to keep your e-bike battery safe.
Choose a Certified High-Quality Battery and Charger
Getting a quality battery isn’t a difficult task if you know what to look for.
- Always confirm if the battery is certified. Check the battery for UL or NRTL(Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) approvals.
- Low-cost batteries and chargers are red flags as they are often built with counterfeit and substandard parts.
- Furthermore, check your newly purchased e-bike battery for the BMS (Battery Management System). BMS helps to regulate temperature, voltage, and charging.
- Last but not least is the use of an original charger. If your e-bike battery didn’t come with a charger, order one from the manufacturer’s website or an approved retail store.
Charge Fast and Never Leave it Unattended.
This is simply the dos and don’ts of an e-bike battery to prevent any form of fire outbreak when no one is watching. Below is a list of don’ts:
- Do not charge when no one is watching or overnight.
- Avoid charging in an enclosed environment. If charging indoors, ensure the room is ventilated.
- Plug into a direct outlet and avoid using extensions
- Do not cover the battery while charging to prevent overheating
- Pay attention to the battery temperature for any changes, such as hot, swollen, or hissing sounds.
Following these dos and don’ts helps to practice safe ebike charging and prevent battery overheating or a possible fire hazard.
Safe E-bike Battery Storage
Batteries require proper care as they remain the heart of an e-bike. This is why you should pay close attention to how you handle and store it. For example, you shouldn’t store an e-bike battery in extreme temperatures, either cold or hot. All batteries should be stored in a cool environment.
Below are some e-bike battery maintenance tips to prevent fire or damage of any form:
- Keep your e-bike battery dry at all times
- Avoid leaving your e-bike in direct sunlight for an extended period without detaching the battery.
- Restrain from keeping a bike battery at exits, such as entrances or close to the doors.
- Do not place the battery close to inflammable materials such as cotton while charging.
- Ensure the battery is charged to at least 50% – 60% before storing.
- Have a battery check routine where you check for damage such as cracks, irregular leaks, and unusual smells. Ensure terminals are clean as well.
Use a Fireproof Charging Gear
The right accessories play a major role in preventing or curtailing fire outbreaks. Fireproof charging box, Class D fire extinguisher, and smoke detectors are accessories for curtailing fire incidents. Prevent e-bike battery fires using add-ons such as smart plugs and a timer that help with overcharging scenarios.
Know What To Do In An Emergency
As a rider, you should know how to avoid e-bike battery fires. Firstly, if it happens while charging, unplug the charger. Secondly, move it away from flammable material and do not attempt to touch or puncture the battery even when bulging. Lastly, get out and call emergency fire in case the Class D fire extinguisher cannot contain the fire.
Report this incident to your e-bike manufacturer to prevent a similar situation for some other rider.
Staying Safe While Riding Smart
Ultimately, an e-bike battery fire is rare and can be prevented if basic safety rules are followed. Pay close attention to your battery by charging with an approved charger, and avoid cheap or low-quality batteries. Buy the right gear. Maintain a regular battery care routine and protect your home from unnecessary fire events.
FAQs
Can an E-bike Catch Fire If Not Plugged into An Outlet?
Yes, but it’s rare. However, the fire is not caused by it not being plugged into an outlet. This fire can be a result of a damaged lithium-ion battery, which may escalate into a thermal runaway. Hence, leading to the release of heat and gas that might ignite a fire. Other reasons are the manufacturer’s defect and overheating.
Should I buy an e-bike with a removable battery?
Yes, removable batteries are highly recommended by professional riders. This is because of the convenience, safety, and security that it offers. You can charge your battery in isolation away from the bike, preventing overheating and ensuring safety. Charging indoors is made possible even if you don’t have an outlet. You can remove the battery to store it safely overnight if you park in a public space.
Which e-bike brands are likely not to catch fire?
E-bike safety is dependent solely on the battery quality, not necessarily the brand. Trek, Ride1Up, and Gazelle are some of the brands that undergo strict safety testing while using high-quality e-bike batteries.
Do Fire extinguishers work on e-bike fires?
Yes, get a Class D fire extinguisher for the lithium-ion battery fire. Otherwise, use a dry chemical extinguisher before the arrival of the fire emergency team. Do not use water to prevent an explosion.
