New UK e-bike law coming in bid to tackle 'ferocious' problem

An e-bike law change could be rolled out in a move to regulate "ferocious" fire hazards. The House of Lords has moved forward with a debate as part of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, focusing on the rising number of fires caused by e-bike batteries.

It will also explore the role of online marketplaces in selling potentially dangerous products. Speaking in the House of Lords this week, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff highlighted alarming statistics about lithium-ion battery fires during the debate. UK fires linked to lithium-ion batteries saw a 46 per cent increase in 2023 compared to 2022.

Lord Foster of Bath shared an example from June 2023, where an e-bike battery explosion in Cambridge claimed the lives of Gemma and her two children, Lilly and Oliver. Her partner Scott survived but suffered serious injuries, spending a month in a coma.

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Scott said: "The battery exploded under my stairs, whilst my family was asleep. Flames were coming up the stairs like a flamethrower. The fire and smoke filled the house up in seconds. Before the fire, I had no idea about the dangers of these lithium-ion batteries. I bought my battery online and just assumed it would be safe.”

He said: "This appalling story—there are many others that I could have quoted—explains why I believe the Government must move sooner rather than later in regulating lithium-ion batteries, as well as in educating the public about the dangers. Responding to our debate on the first group of amendments, the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, said that he believes the Bill will enable regulations addressing concerns about lithium-ion batteries to be brought forward.

"I absolutely believe that that is the case and that it is the Government’s intention so to do. However, at this stage, we need clear assurances that they will come forward and will cover all the concerns raised; equally importantly, we need assurances that they will come forward quickly. This is why I am so keen for the Government to accept my noble friend Lady Brinton’s Amendment 44, which would ensure that action happens within six months of the passing of this Bill: any delays beyond that will result in far more horror stories like Scott’s. I beg to move."

Government intervention is urgently needed rather than leaving safety measures to industry self-regulation, he said.