People should avoid buying e-bikes and e-scooters from rogue online sellers because of the risk of deadly fires, the Government has warned.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said that faulty parts have resulted in hundreds of incidents across the UK where the transport devices have caught fire, some of which have resulted in deaths.
London Fire Brigade said it attended 143 e-bike fires and 36 e-scooter blazes last year, causing a total of three deaths and leaving around 60 people injured.
We’re urging everyone to check what you’re buying
Justin Madders, product safety minister
Fires involving lithium batteries – which are used for e-bikes and e-scooters – can spread rapidly and produce a toxic vapour.
Products sold which do not meet UK safety standards have been found to be more at risk of exploding and catching fire, particularly when being charged.
The DBT said many fires are caused by parts being fitted to e-bikes or e-scooters which are incompatible, as well as by defective …