A cyclist rides an e-bike by electric scooters parked on Market Street on July 29, 2024 in San Francisco, California. Recently, an e-bike parked in front of a Toronto home caught fire, spewing shrapnel and black smoke with multiple explosions.
According to Toronto Fire Services data, there have been 47 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in the city this year, which is a 50% increase from the same time last year. Toronto fire chief Jim Jessop said, “This is, and I will say again, the fastest-growing public fire safety risk in the city of Toronto.”
The threat of e-bike fires is not limited to Toronto. In New York City, the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries soared from 30 in 2019 to 104 in 2021, and then to 268 in 2023, resulting in 18 fatalities and 150 injuries.
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The problem lies in the lack of regulation on e-bikes and the market being flooded with uncertified items. Even if an e-bike has a certified battery, people often replace it with cheap, uncertified aftermarket batteries, which can be deadly. They are taking risks by performing their own service and repair, swapping batteries and chargers, and leaving devices plugged in overnight and in enclosed areas, which can be fatal.
The Underwriters Laboratories Standards and Engagement defines the lithium-ion fire problem as a three-pronged issue: thermal runaway. This issue can be caused by substandard quality and design, poor components, physical abuse, and improper charging or discharging.
Thermal runaway can result in extremely high temperatures, violent cell venting, fire, and explosion.
New York City has seen a decrease in fire, injury, and death counts through education, oversight, inspection at aftermarket shops, and ad campaigns. It is essential for Canada to implement similar measures, including mandatory federal certification of potentially dangerous consumer products, to reduce the risk of e-bike fires.
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Legislation and consumer protections need to keep up with the growing mobility options for Canadians. The lack of regulation on e-bikes is a serious concern, and it’s essential to address this issue to prevent further fatalities and injuries.
By understanding the causes of e-bike fires and implementing effective solutions, Canada can reduce the risk of these deadly incidents and create a safer environment for e-bike users.
The need for regulation and education is clear.
