Lithium-ion battery fires rise sharply in the UK

E-bike and e-scooter batteries are the biggest concern

The number of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries has risen sharply across the UK. British media reports and research by insurer QBE show that firefighters attended 1,760 such incidents in 2025 alone - almost five call-outs every day.

Over the past three years, the number of these fires has increased by 147%, with e-bikes and e-scooters emerging as the main source of concern. They now account for almost one third of all battery-related fires.

E-bike and e-scooter fire risks in London

While UK fire services received 149 reports of burning e-bikes in 2022, the figure had climbed to 520 by 2025. The situation is particularly serious in London, where fires involving electric transport made up 44% of all call-outs for battery blazes. Five people have died in the UK capital as a result of these incidents over three years.

The primary cause is the widespread sale, through marketplaces and online shops, of cheap and uncertified batteries, chargers and conversion kits. Firefighters warn that the e-scooter and e-bike market is expanding faster than meaningful safety and enforcement measures can be introduced.

Thermal runaway and charging hazards

A particular risk is known as battery thermal runaway. In this state, a battery rapidly overheats internally, releases toxic gases, and can then catch fire or even explode. Such a blaze is far more difficult to extinguish than an ordinary fire.

Nearly half of these incidents - around 46% - occur inside homes. Batteries most often catch fire while charging, especially overnight or in narrow hallways close to flat exits.

Battery disposal adds to the cost of fires

Incorrect battery disposal is another issue. In the UK, lithium batteries are regularly thrown away with general waste, causing fires in refuse collection vehicles and recycling facilities. Insurers estimate that the damage caused by these fires already exceeds £1 billion a year.