Students warned over deadly e-bike fire risk as incidents soar five-fold

Students heading to university this September are being warned not to put the safety of themselves and their housemates at risk by using unofficial batteries, chargers or conversion kits for their e-bikes.

With the number of e-bike fires across the UK up five-fold between 2021 and 2025¹, there are fears shared student housing could be particularly at risk because multiple vehicles with lithium-ion batteries could all be stored or charged in the same place.

Recent figures obtained by the BBC² say 18 people have died and nearly 700 have been injured in fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters since 2019. Analysis of a sample of e-bike fires by the Office for Product Safety and Standards³ found almost half of them (46.9%) involve e-bike conversions, meaning they may not meet safety standards or have been properly tested. The risk is made worse if owners buy cheap, uncertified chargers or batteries online.

A large number of universities have already banned the storage and charging of personal e-scooters and e-bikes on their own premises because of safety concerns, but the same rules don’t apply to privately arranged student housing.

Fires involving lithium-ion batteries burn with particular intensity, producing explosive gases and toxic smoke. This means small fires can escalate into life-threatening situations within minutes, and the presence of multiple lithium-ion batteries increases this danger.

Hayley Howard, Large Loss Claims expert at Zurich UK, said:

“We know students need to watch their spending, and e-bikes can be a convenient way to get around campus. However, no quick travel hack is worth risking lives for.

“Given the spike in fires involving e-bikes we’re urging all students heading off to uni this month to take extra care about where and how they charge theirs. Make sure your kit is safe and certified, and that you and your housemates could get out of the building if the worst happened.”

Tips on safe e-bike charging

It’s important to be aware that for an e-bike to be legal on UK roads it must have a maximum assisted speed of 15.5mph and a maximum motor power of 250 watts. Use of e-scooters is banned on public roads, pavements or cycle lanes, unless part of an approved trial.

To ensure your e-bike doesn’t become a fire hazard, follow these steps:

• Make sure you buy your e-bike from a reputable seller who can show it meets appropriate UK standards
• Use the charger and battery provided with your original bike, and do not share chargers between different bikes or batteries. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• If you need to replace the charger or battery, avoid cheap online sellers who can’t verify their products
• If possible, store and charge e-bikes in a shed or garage separate from your home
• Avoid charging in communal areas or on building escape routes
• Make sure you’re not overloading sockets or extension leads
• Unplug once charging is complete, and never leave an e-bike on charge overnight
• Stop using any battery that is showing signs of damage or swelling out of shape

Notes to editors

¹ Fire brigade figures obtained by the Press Association show there were at least 432 e-bike fires recorded across the UK in 2025, up 38% from 313 the previous year and more than five times higher than the 84 recorded in 2021

• ² 18 deaths from battery fires show hidden danger of UK's e-bike boom - BBC News
• ³Fires in e-bikes and e-scooters - GOV.UK