E-Bike & E-Scooter Battery Fires: Australia's Home Hazard

E-bike & e-scooter fires: the fastest-growing home hazard

They're cheap, convenient and everywhere — and they account for a striking share of Australia's battery fires. E-micromobility is where the risk hits closest to home.

Fire and Rescue NSW data shows e-micromobility vehicles caused 193 fires between 2022 and 2025, with the rate climbing each year (NSW Government, 2025a). In late November 2025, the service responded to its 100th e-bike battery fire of that year alone — a blaze that tore through a two-storey Redfern terrace at 4am (Fire and Rescue NSW, 2025).

What actually goes wrong

Investigators repeatedly point to two culprits: using an incorrect charger, and modifying a device to boost its speed or range. In one Sydney incident, an e-scooter exploded and caught fire after a modified device was paired with the wrong charger, injuring two men (Environment Protection Authority NSW, 2025). Cheap, uncertified imports that don't meet Australian standards compound the problem.

A simple home defence

Because e-bike and e-scooter batteries are small enough to tackle early, the right gear makes a real difference. A compact 1L EV fire extinguisher paired with an e-bike fire blanket covers both suppression and containment. The convenient option is the matched 1L extinguisher + blanket bundle.