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Wednesday 29th January 2025, saw the release of a government-commissioned report which has raised serious concerns about the safety of Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Long-awaited by many, the report follows an alarming surge in e-battery fire damage, destruction and deaths across the UK. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) commissioned Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) to produce the report, which is thorough and draws upon:
- detailed stakeholder consultation
- scientific and literature study
- real-world evidence of PLEV fires
- a review of existing UK legislation
- detailed product inspection across the UK market
The report has revealed significant flaws in battery design and manufacturing, with many products failing to meet essential safety standards. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the worrying fire statistics and various headlines which have continued to rise as the PLEV market expands.
The danger with cheaper or modified batteries
The findings highlight that lower-priced batteries are particularly vulnerable, with common issues such as poor waterproofing, lack of temperature sensors and inadequate protection against overcharging. These deficiencies, often compounded by the use of incompatible chargers or consumer misuse, have led to hazardous thermal runaway incidents.
Worryingly, the report highlights that there is a clear correlation between the price of PLEV batteries and safety outcomes; due to a range of technical differences within the make-up of each battery, as detailed in the full report. Fundamentally, with cheaper PLEV batteries and most repaired or converted batteries, there is far greater variability in the performance and quality within. This means there is a significantly greater risk of thermal runaway.
Indeed, during testing, the report notes that many cheaper and modified batteries experienced over-heating of protective components, rendering those protections ineffective. This overheating happens internally, in a way that is not apparent to the consumer. When this over-heating occurs so does the risk of ‘thermal abuse’ which happens when an unsuitable charger or modified PLEV drive-motor is used on the overheated device. During testing, several of these batteries went into thermal runaway, leading rapidly to fire, explosions and clouds of toxic gas. During testing, it was also noted that conversion kit batteries and the cheaper e-bike batteries also exceeded voltage and discharge limits by a concerning amount.
Therefore, it is both easy and foreseeable that many customers would simply be unaware of the risk associated with their cheaper or modified devices, until they are on fire.
Unsafe modifications: Who is at risk?
A number of stories of converted or modified equipment combusting, have been largely linked to vulnerable groups such as food delivery riders, often living in densely-populated social housing.
London Fire Brigade has identified the app-based food delivery sector as a key area of concern due to the widespread use of bicycles converted to e-bikes. In addition, in 2024, City of London Police recorded 295 seizures of modified e-bikes. Most of the riders who had illegally modified e-bikes were food deliverers trying to get a faster vehicle to do their job.
Safety charity, Electrical Safety First (ESF), notes that most delivery riders are employed as independent contractors and are paid by the number of jobs they do which can lead to them sourcing and modifying e-bikes at their own cost.
“As conversion kits sold online can be a fraction of the cost of a ready-built e-bike, they are more likely to appeal to those with less disposable income,” reasons ESF. This information remains crucial for landlords and responsible persons who have a regulatory duty to remain aware and responsive to fire risk. The government’s latest report highlights just how common and ill-advised battery modification can be, particularly given that the batteries being modified are already likely cheaper and as reported, at greater risk of malfunctioning.
In contrast, higher-priced batteries, equipped with advanced safety circuits and more sophisticated Battery Management Systems (BMS), have been more successful at preventing dangerous thermal events.
Critically, the report emphasises that “battery safety should not need to be a factor in consumers’ PLEV purchase decisions: Safety should be inherent to all products offered for sale, irrespective of their price and other attributes, as is required by existing UK legislation.”
Safety Deficiencies
The report investigates issues with the design, manufacturing and use of PLEV batteries, such as inadequate Battery Management Systems (BMS), poor manufacturing quality, and susceptibility to misuse or damage.
Detailed suggestions are put forth to improve PLEV safety spanning the following areas:
- consistency in the legislation applicable to PLEV batteries
- consistency in the standards covering all PLEV batteries
- numerous detailed improvements to standards, ranging from cell production quality to the abuse testing methodology and functional safety
- collection of incident data
- consumer advice
- increased obligations and penalties for companies selling PLEVs and their batteries
Consistent Legislation
The report stresses the importance of consistent and robust legislation across the PLEV market, ensuring that all products meet the necessary safety standards, regardless of price point and that there are penalties for non-compliance.
The OPSS Regulatory Activity Update details the steps taken by the OPSS in response to findings from the report. These include undertaking a programme of regulatory activity at different points in the supply chain, targeted market surveillance and data gathering.
A significant focus is on ensuring that existing guidance and legislation are applied effectively and next steps will focus on working across government, with industry and with other stakeholder groups to review and implement change.
What does this mean for landlords?
Landlords must take this growing fire risk seriously, particularly in multi-occupancy buildings where e-bikes and e-scooters are commonly stored and charged. This is especially pertinent for landlords in social housing, given the information relating to the risks with cheaper and modified equipment which is reported to be used frequently by more vulnerable, lower-income groups.
The findings highlight the need for clear policies on PLEV storage and charging, fire risk assessments that reflect the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries and potential restrictions on modified or uncertified devices.
Given the legal duty to provide a safe environment, landlords should stay informed about evolving regulations, consider designated charging areas with fire-resistant materials, and communicate safety guidance to tenants. Proactive measures now could help mitigate serious risks in the future. metroSTOR warmly invites landlords to meet with fire safety and legal experts in the upcoming webinar, ‘E-mobility: A Landlord’s Legal Obligations’ on Thursday 27th February 2025, 11.00am – 12.00pm. Register here to be part of the important conversation.
In the concluding remarks of the executive summary, it is noted that, while there is no “quick fix”, if these suggestions are acted on by the relevant parties in government, standards bodies, manufacturers and other stakeholders, it is believed that the number of PLEV fires can be reduced over time.
Read the full report and supporting documents here.
