The London Fire Brigade is calling for leading delivery firms – Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo – to do more to make their riders aware of the fire risk of the batteries used to power their e-bikes and e-scooters.
The Brigade was called out to more than 200 fires caused by faulty batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters in 2025 – when two people died in the fires.
The video above shows the deadly force when an e-bike battery explodes, as happened in a flat in Catford last year.
Lewisham, with 16, had the highest number of e-bike fires last year, when there were eight fires caused by dodgy batteries in Croydon. There was one e-bike fire in 2025 in Bromley, and none in Sutton.
According to LFB data, there have now been five fatalities in London from these type of fires since 2023.
Devastating: this house in New Malden was completely gutted by fire caused by an e-bike battery
“These stark figures demonstrate that urgent action is still needed to help prevent these fires and further tragedies,” the Brigade said today.
In total, firefighters attended a record number of 206 e-bike and e-scooter fires in 2025, an average of 17 fires a month.
“The Brigade’s investigations show that lithium-ion battery failure, conversion kits and chargers are often the cause of these fires – and that items purchased online, which don’t meet UK safety standards, whether bought new or second-hand, are particularly prone to going up in flames,” the Brigade said.
The Product Regulation and Metrology Act, known as the PRAM Act, received Royal Assent last year. Spencer Sutcliff, the LFB’s deputy commissioner, has written to ministers urging the government to bring forward its consultation for the secondary legislation of the Act as soon as possible.
“Firefighters are currently attending an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day, on average. Already in 2026, we have seen several fires involving lithium-ion batteries. These fires can be explosive and have devastating consequences.”
According to LFB data, none of those killed in e-bike fires were the owners of the bike involved, which the Brigade says demonstrates “the devastating effect these fires can have on those who live with an e-bike or e-scooter user, as well as to their homes and livelihoods”.
The Brigade says that more work is required to eraise public awareness about the risks, especially among gig economy riders, who use e-bikes for their delivery work.
The Brigade is continuing its calls for the likes of Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo to do more to share awareness about the risks directly with their riders.
The Brigade also wants councils, housing associations and landlords, and universities and colleges to help spread awareness. They are also being urged to take practical steps to help reduce the risk, including providing safe places for storage or appropriate charging facilities.
Taking a toll: the LFB’s stats show the increase in fires caused by e-bike or e-scooter batteries across the capital over the past decade
“We understand the importance of green and sustainable modes of transport and recognise the positive impact of e-bikes and e-scooters,” Sutcliff said.
“However, poorly built, non-compliant or damaged lithium batteries in these products, as well as the use of mismatched batteries and chargers, present fire safety challenges.
“It is clear from the number of fires we’re seeing that not everyone is aware of the very real risks that exist.
“We need to ensure the safety advice is reaching as many people as possible and that dangerous products are no longer readily available to purchase online.”
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I thought e-bike fires were mostly caused by dodgy on-line purchases or DIY adaptations not by reputable Just Eat couriers.