Watt Could Go Wrong

Written By Adam Carter

The hidden dangers of unsafe e-bike and e-scooters

Author - Adam Carter - Two minute read

E-bikes and e-scooters have become a huge part of modern life, offering a greener, more affordable way to travel. Currently and there was talk of this changing.  It is also illegal to ride privately owned e-scooters anywhere other than private land. These devices are classified as "powered transporters" and are subject to the same legal requirements as motor vehicles, including insurance, tax, MOT, and licensing.

However, they do not meet the necessary construction and use regulations, making it virtually impossible to use them legally on public roads. Check this out before you buy.  Don’t pay out for something you can’t use.  However as usual I got distracted, so back to the point of this campaign. The big issue we are focusing on that often gets overlooked is the fire risk from E-bike and e-scooter batteries.

In our latest Podcast, me and LouBax sat down with product safety expert Geraldine Cosh to talk about the real dangers lurking in homes across the UK. This bonus episode marks the end of Season 4 and is part of our campaign "Watt Could Go Wrong," which aims to make sure consumers, landlords, and businesses know how to buy safe, charge safe, and store safe.

On a side note, we have LouBax to thank for the pun on the word what!

This isn’t about scaremongering. It’s about awareness. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are happening more frequently—and the consequences can be devastating.


The Growing Risk: E-Bike and E-Scooter Fires

Lithium-ion battery fires are not just a risk—they’re a growing crisis.

🚨 Since 2020, the number of fires linked to e-bike and e-scooter batteries has tripled.
🚒 London Fire Brigade alone responded to over 200 incidents in the past two years.
🔥 A faulty or damaged battery can explode in seconds, leaving little time to react.
🏠 Most of these fires happen while charging overnight, catching people off guard.

For people living in flats and shared housing, the risks are even higher. Storing an e-bike in a hallway or by the front door may seem convenient—but in a fire, it could block the only escape route.

That’s why Watt Could Go Wrong is such an important campaign. We want everyone—whether you own an e-bike, rent a flat, or run a business—to understand the risks and take simple steps to stay safe.


Why Are These Fires Happening?

The problem isn’t e-bikes or e-scooters themselves—it’s the batteries and, more specifically, how they are bought, charged, and stored.

LouBax summarised it well when she said:

"You’ve got batteries that are either substandard, counterfeit, unsafe, or damaged because they’ve been tampered with by the consumer who thinks they’re trying to convert them or bought a conversion kit and haven’t installed it properly. Those things can cause fires."

Some of the biggest causes of battery fires include:

  • 🔴 Counterfeit batteries – Cheap knock-offs that overheat and explode under normal use.

  • 🔴 Overcharging – Leaving a battery plugged in for too long damages the cells, increasing the risk of fire.

  • 🔴 Using the wrong charger – A mismatched charger can overload the battery, leading to overheating.

  • 🔴 Physical damage – Dropping a battery, puncturing it, or even storing it incorrectly can lead to internal failure.

  • 🔴 DIY modifications – Tampering with a battery to increase power or speed greatly increases fire risk.

This isn’t just theory—people are losing their homes, and in some cases, their lives, because of these fires.


How to Stay Safe: Buy Safe, Charge Safe, Store Safe

As we wrapped up the episode, we talked about the three simple rules that can help prevent e-bike and e-scooter fires:

✅ BUY SAFE – Only purchase from reputable retailers that comply with UK safety standards. Avoid bargain batteries from third-party sellers online.
✅ CHARGE SAFE – Always unplug when fully charged, avoid charging overnight, and only use the charger that came with the bike or scooter.
✅ STORE SAFE – Keep your e-bike away from doorways and escape routes, and never store batteries near flammable materials.

One extra tip? If your battery starts getting unusually hot, smelling strange, or swelling, stop using it immediately and dispose of it safely.


What Can You Do? Get Involved in "Watt Could Go Wrong"!

At Consumer Friend, we believe that awareness saves lives. That’s why we’ve created a full set of free resources for:

📌 Consumers – Learn how to keep your home and family safe.
📌 Landlords & Housing Providers – Understand the risks in shared buildings and how to reduce them.
📌 Businesses & Retailers – Ensure you’re selling safe, certified products to customers.

📲 Visit our campaign page to download posters, safety guides, and more:
👉 www.consumerfriend.org.uk/campaign

Let’s spread the message and prevent fires before they happen. Share this blog, listen to the episode, and be part of the change. 🚲🔥

#WattCouldGoWrong #BuySafeChargeSafeStoreSafe #EbikeSafety #FireSafety #ConsumerFriendPodcast

Podcast Title: Consumer Friend Podcast – Watt Could Go Wrong

Episode Title: Bonus Episode – The Hidden Dangers of E-Bike and E-Scooter

Release Date: 3 March 2025

Host(s):

  • Adam Carter

  • Louise Baxter MBE (LouBax)

Guest(s):

Episode Summary:

It’s the final episode of Season 4, and we’re wrapping up with a bonus episode that could literally save lives.

In this special episode, Adam and LouBax introduce Consumer Friend’s latest campaign: Watt Could Go Wrong (yes, that’s WATT, as in electricity—shoutout to LouBax for the pun! 😉). This campaign raises awareness about the hidden dangers of e-bike and e-scooter battery fires and encourages everyone to Buy Safe, Charge Safe, Store Safe.

To help us break it all down, we’re joined by Geraldine Cosh, a product safety expert with over 20 years of experience. Geraldine shares insider knowledge on why lithium-ion batteries are such a fire risk, how the laws around these products are struggling to keep up, and what businesses, landlords, and consumers need to do to stay safe.

🚲 E-bikes and e-scooters are great for the environment—but if their batteries overheat or fail, they can catch fire within seconds. The consequences can be devastating, especially for those living in flats or shared housing.

🔥 Did you know?

  • Fires caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries have tripled since 2020.

  • Many incidents happen at night while charging—often with counterfeit or damaged batteries.

  • Storage is just as important as charging—blocking a fire exit with an e-bike could be deadly.

Whether you own an e-bike, e-scooter, or just charge electronics at home, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Why e-bike and e-scooter battery fires are on the rise
✅ How to identify safe vs. unsafe batteries before you buy
✅ The real risks of modification kits and tampering
✅ Why buying from a reputable UK retailer matter
✅ Essential tips for safely charging and storing batteries
✅ What landlords and social housing providers can do to protect tenants

Consumer Friend’s Call to Action:

🚨 Get Involved in the Watt Could Go Wrong Campaign! 🚨
All campaign materials, including posters, guides, and social media assets, are available now on our website.

📲 Download and share them today! → www.consumerfriend.org.uk/campaigns

🙌 Whether you’re a social housing provider, local authority, or a concerned consumer, help us spread the message and keep communities safe.

Resources & Links:

Adam Carter
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