Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

The number of fires stemming from the lithium-ion batteries commonly found in electronic bikes (e-bikes) is rapidly rising, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In 2022, at least 19 people died in the United States because of fires or overheating incidents related to battery-powered products. In New York City alone, the batteries caused 216 fires, resulting in 147 injuries and six deaths in 2022.

This article discusses why lithium-ion batteries combust, outlines the regulations resulting from these fires, and explains how to prevent such incidents from occurring.

Why Do Lithium-ion Batteries Combust?

Lithium-ion batteries have grown in popularity because they charge faster, last longer, and have a higher power density in a lighter package than traditional battery technology. However, they are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and are inherently flammable. Due to this heat sensitivity, these batteries tend to degrade quickly, potentially resulting in fires that can cause widespread damage, injuries and even death. In addition, an impact from a crash, improper use, or manufacturing issues could lead to short-circuiting or other failures that may result in the combustion of these batteries.

Regulations

While there are currently not many regulations concerning e-bikes, lawmakers and federal regulators in the United States are taking note of the risk lithium-ion batteries pose. Proposed regulations may require devices to be certified under the safety standards recommended by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which has produced safety certifications for electrical products for over a century. In fact, the New York City Council recently passed legislation requiring all e-bikes rented or leased in the city to be certified under the appropriate UL safety standards. Uncertified or used batteries are also banned under local laws. In addition, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission asked more than 2,000 manufacturers, importers and retailers to voluntarily adhere to UL safety standards, as they significantly reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from micro-mobility device fires.

Prevention

The following can help prevent an e-bike fire from occurring:

  • Never use an off-brand or after-market replacement battery or charger. Cheap, high-voltage options are the cause of many fires.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When charging, storing and maintaining an e-bike battery, the manufacturer’s instructions should be adhered to before taking any action or making any decisions. This includes using manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the bike.
  • Don’t store e-bike batteries with a full charge. The more charged a battery is, the more fuel there is for the chemical reaction that causes fire.
  • Don’t leave an e-bike unattended while it’s charging and don’t leave it charging overnight.
  • Stop using the e-bike immediately if you notice changes to the battery’s shape, odor, or color or if you notice that it’s leaking or making odd noises.
  • Keep batteries at room temperature. Do not leave them in direct sunlight.
  • Charge e-bike batteries away from flammable materials. E-bike batteries should be charged away from furniture and should not be charged or stored in a location that blocks access to exits.
  • Contact the manufacturer directly with any issues. Most companies will replace faulty batteries as long as they haven’t been tampered with. Take pictures or videos to send to the company’s support team.
  • Don’t mess with the battery. Only someone with specific e-bike battery training should be servicing and replacing batteries.

Are You Covered?

With e-bikes still being a relatively new form of transportation, many insurance companies are still inconclusive on how coverage and liability applies to accidents and injuries caused or suffered by riders. Some bikes can be covered under a homeowners insurance policy, while others need additional coverage to be covered.

You may be riding at your own risk when you step onto an e-bike, so it’s important to know whether you’re covered under your own insurance policies. Your homeowners and auto insurance policies may have been created before the rise of e-bike, so there may be no mention of the devices.

A standard homeowner policy does not cover motor vehicles, and standard personal auto policies exclude liability coverage for vehicles with less than four wheels—e-bikes generally have two. Motorcycle insurance also might not cover e-bikes. Here at Lawley, we would highly encourage anyone riding or owning e-bikes to take a look at their current home policies and consider a personal umbrella policy if one is not already in place.

It is important to know the specific details of your homeowners and auto policies before you can count on coverage for theft, destruction, injury, or accident involving an e-bike.

Contact Lawley today for more information.

 

The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.