Electric vehicle fires almost double in two years
Fires involving electric vehicle with lithium-ion batteries have almost doubled in two year with UK fire brigades tackling at least three blazes per day as battery-powered cars and e-bikes become more popular and commonplace on our streets.
There has been a 93 per cent increase in instances recorded between 2022 and 2024, a new report from business insurer QBE revealed this week.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to UK fire services in March discovered e-bikes are the major contributor with 362 cases last year (up from 181 in 2022). But alarmingly for drivers, the volume of electric car blazes rose by 77 per cent over the two-year period.
Fires involving 'e-cars' increased from 131 to 232 between 2022 and 2024.
While the number of electric cars on the road in the UK hit over one million in 2024, which makes the increase in fires seem minimal, QBE believes that the risk from EV fires is substantial due to their fire intensity, speed of ignition and the rapid spreading caused by lithium-ion batteries.
Calling for improvements to lithium-ion battery safety, Adrian Simmonds from QBE Insurance, said instances of fires are 'increasing at a worrying pace' and warned they 'burn differently, take longer to tackle, typically need ten times more water to put out and are often more harmful to the surrounding environment'.
The rising number of lithium-ion battery fires due e-vehicles
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in most rechargeable devices, including smartphones, laptops, power tools and e-vehicles.
But it's e-bikes in particular that are causing the scary rise in lithium-ion battery fires in the UK.
These electric-powered bikes designed for easy cycling are being linked to almost a third (27 per cent) of all recorded lithium-ion battery blazes last year.
E-bikes accounted for 362 fires in 2024, double from 181 in 2022. This means the nation's fire services tended to an e-bike fire almost every day last year.
Unsurprisingly, London is the epicentre for e-vehicle blazes, accounting for almost a third of all lithium-ion battery fires in the UK last year and nearly half of all e-bike igniting (49 per cent or 178 incidents).
London currently has over 40,000 e-bikes for hire, with Forest bikes and Lime bikes the most common.
TfL is also expanding its fleet of 'Boris bikes' to include 2,000 e-bikes by the end of summer.
Electric car fires increased by 77 per cent - up to 232 in 2024 making them the second most common e-vehicle to have a battery fire.
Electric scooter battery fires increased by 32 per cent, up from 118 in 2022 to 156 in 2024, the report found.
While electric mobility scooters might not have the highest combustion rates – up 20 per cent in two years from 25 in 2022 to 30 in 2024 - the threat to their users is heightened, particularly for those with limited mobility who may struggle to vacate quickly in the event of a fire.
Where in the UK has the most lithium-ion battery fires?
Of all the fire services in the UK, the London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion battery fires in 2024.
There were 407 incidents in the capital – more than four times the next highest region.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was second, reporting 100 lithium-ion battery fires, followed by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue - which covers Leeds and Bradford - reporting 94 lithium-ion battery fires.
In terms of the whereabouts blazes sparked, the most frequent is at residential properties, followed by outdoors and commercial premises.
Why lithium-ion battery fires are particularly dangerous and what's being done about it
Lithium-ion battery fires are the result of 'thermal runaway', where batteries start to irreversibly overheat, usually due to impact damage, over-charging or over-heating.
In the case of electric cars, batteries are extremely powerful. So, even though they are relatively uncommon, any fire can result in explosive incidents that are significantly more energetic, causing extensive damage, and potentially injury or even death.
In light of the risk these fires could have to e-transport users, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched the 'Buy Safe, Be Safe' campaign in October 2024, advising consumers to avoid rogue online sellers and prioritise safe purchases.
Additionally, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently under parliamentary review, aims to strengthen safety standards for products sold in the UK.
As personal e-transport becomes more popular and more electric cars hit the road, QBE says there is a growing need for better public education on safe battery use and fire prevention.
Simmonds warned: 'People need to understand the risks [with lithium-ion battery fires] and how to deal with them.
'While QBE supports the adoption of e-transport, we also call for stricter regulation.
'For instance, the UK should stop the sale of rogue e-bikes and other unregulated devices. This could be done in the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is going through Parliament.
'In the meantime, consumers should purchase e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable companies, so retailers that show they take quality and compliance seriously with a genuine CE mark.
'Raising awareness around safe charging, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is critical to keeping people and property safe.'
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