The Growing Fire Risk: Why Australian E-Bike and E-Scooter Owners Need Specialised Safety Equipment Now
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A Wake-Up Call From Recent Australian Incidents
When a family in North Narrabeen threw their smoking e-scooter into their garden late one November evening in 2024, they witnessed something that defied logic: even submerged in water, the battery continued to burn with such intensity that firefighters had to replace a melting plastic bucket with steel (Northern Beaches Advocate, 2024). This wasn't an isolated incident. It was one of more than 275 lithium-ion battery fires that occurred in New South Wales alone during 2024, averaging five fire incidents per week (Northern Beaches Advocate, 2024).
The statistics paint an alarming picture. Fire and Rescue NSW reported a dramatic escalation: 165 lithium-ion battery fires in 2022, 272 in 2023, and 323 by year-end 2024 (Bicycling Australia, 2024). What's particularly concerning is that e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards represent a significant portion of these incidents, with 35 fires specifically attributed to these devices in just the first half of 2024 (EV Fire Solutions, 2024).
The Human Cost: Real Incidents That Changed Lives
The consequences of these fires extend far beyond property damage. In April 2024, a devastating explosion at a New Farm apartment in Brisbane left two people in induced comas with severe burns after an e-scooter left charging overnight exploded (New Farm News, 2024). The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service described the scene as a "perfect storm" when clutter in the compact unit combined with the explosive nature of the lithium-ion battery fire (AccomNews, 2024).
Perhaps most tragically, in November 2024, a house fire in Lawnton, Queensland, claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl and left four others critically injured, with police investigating whether an e-scooter battery may have sparked the blaze (The Nightly, 2024).
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's comprehensive 2023 report revealed that over a five-year period, at least one Australian died in a lithium-ion battery fire, with 231 product safety reports received and 23 recalls affecting an estimated 89,000 products (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 2023).
Understanding the Unique Danger: Thermal Runaway
What makes lithium-ion battery fires so particularly dangerous? The answer lies in a phenomenon called thermal runaway. Dr Matthew Priestley from UNSW Sydney explains that when a lithium-ion battery fails, it enters a chain reaction where the battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate it, reaching temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius in seconds (UNSW Newsroom, 2023).
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell emphasised the explosive nature of these incidents, stating that when batteries enter thermal runaway, they can violently explode while spewing clouds of toxic gas, creating intense fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish (Northern Beaches Advocate, 2024).
Traditional fire extinguishers and standard safety equipment simply weren't designed for these conditions. Even water, the firefighter's traditional tool, cannot easily extinguish these fires due to their self-sustaining chemical reactions.
The Root Causes: Why Is This Happening?
Research from EV FireSafe revealed concerning trends in the Australian market. Emma Sutcliffe, chief executive of EV FireSafe, noted that lightweight electric vehicles are rapidly entering the market, often drop-shipped from overseas with poor-quality battery cells and inadequate battery management systems that cannot stabilise the battery pack from a thermal perspective (InQueensland, 2023).
Fire and Rescue NSW data from 2022, 2023, and the first half of 2024 showed a revealing pattern: not a single mainstream brand like Giant, Trek, Specialized, or manufacturers like Bosch or Shimano appeared in the fire incident lists. Instead, the fires predominantly involved no-name brands and delivery courier e-bikes (Flow Mountain Bike, 2025).
The most common causes include using incorrect chargers, modifying devices with mismatched parts, overcharging, and storing batteries in inappropriate conditions. Particularly concerning is the prevalence of delivery riders using modified high-capacity batteries with accelerated charging equipment, significantly increasing fire risks (Bicycling Australia, 2024).
Government Response: New Regulations Taking Effect
Recognising the severity of this issue, the NSW Government implemented mandatory safety standards for lithium-ion battery-powered e-micromobility products. From 1 February 2025, e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, and e-skateboards must meet strict testing, certification, and marking requirements. Retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers face fines of up to $825,000 for non-compliance (Northern Beaches Advocate, 2024).
NSW Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan announced an inquest into lithium-ion battery fires, emphasising the need to prevent tragic incidents from being repeated and urging consumers to only buy products complying with Australian standards (Northern Beaches Advocate, 2024).
The Solution: Specialised Fire Safety Equipment
This is precisely why our EV Fire Safety Bundle—combining a specialised 1L fire extinguisher with a 2m x 2m fire containment blanket—was developed specifically for e-bike and e-scooter owners.
Why Standard Equipment Isn't Enough
Traditional ABC or CO2 extinguishers may temporarily suppress flames but cannot address thermal runaway or prevent reignition. Our specialised EV Fire Extinguisher, complying with European and International Standards EN-3-7-2004 and A1-2007, is formulated to rapidly suppress high-temperature fires and cool batteries to interrupt the thermal runaway process.
The fire containment blanket, tested to EN13501 standards, provides a critical second layer of protection. Designed specifically for lithium-ion battery fires, it can contain and control fires caused by thermal runaway, preventing spread to surrounding areas.
Practical Protection for Australian Conditions
Currently, there is no Australian Standard specifically for lithium-ion battery fires, making it essential to rely on proven international standards. Our products are designed for the specific needs of e-bike and e-scooter owners, whether at home, in workshops, or in garages where these vehicles are charged and stored.
The 1L extinguisher size is ideal for smaller vehicles and limited storage spaces, ensuring you have protection without overwhelming your space. The 2m x 2m blanket is sized appropriately for e-bikes and e-scooters, offering reliable containment in emergency situations.
Who Needs This Equipment?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, specialised fire safety equipment should be a priority:
- Do you charge an e-bike or e-scooter at home, in your garage, or in an apartment?
- Are you a delivery rider relying on your e-bike for daily work?
- Do you operate a workshop, service centre, or retail space where e-bikes are stored or charged?
- Do you manage a body corporate or apartment building where residents use e-scooters?
- Are you a parent with children who use e-scooters?
The Cost of Being Unprepared
When considering the investment in specialised fire safety equipment, consider what's at stake. The New Farm apartment fire resulted in twelve fire crews responding, two people in induced comas, and extensive property damage (AccomNews, 2024). The incident in Sadlier, Sydney, saw an e-scooter battery explosion injure two men—one from flying shrapnel, the other from burns and smoke inhalation (Fire and Rescue NSW, 2025).
Beyond the immediate human cost, there are insurance implications. Many insurers are beginning to require EV-specific fire safety equipment for commercial facilities and fleets, potentially impacting premiums and compliance requirements.
Essential Safety Practices
While having the right equipment is crucial, prevention remains the first line of defence. Fire and Rescue NSW recommends:
- Never charge devices in exits or areas that would prevent escape
- Never sleep or leave home with lithium-ion devices charging
- Disconnect devices once fully charged
- Never charge on beds, sofas, or around combustible materials
- Use only manufacturer-approved chargers—just because a plug fits doesn't mean it's compatible
- Charge away from living spaces in well-ventilated areas
- Store devices in cool, dry areas away from direct sunlight
Most importantly, always call Triple Zero (000) immediately when an e-bike or e-scooter fire occurs. Specialised equipment is designed to contain and control fires until emergency services arrive, not replace professional firefighters.
Looking Forward: A Growing Challenge
As e-bikes and e-scooters continue to gain popularity as sustainable transport solutions, the challenge of battery safety will only intensify. The ACCC projects increasing numbers of lithium-ion battery-powered devices in Australian households, making proper safety equipment not just advisable but essential (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 2023).
The evidence from Australian incidents is clear: lithium-ion battery fires from e-bikes and e-scooters are not a hypothetical risk but a present reality affecting families, apartment residents, and communities across the country. With more than five fire incidents per week in NSW alone, and fatalities already recorded, the question isn't whether to invest in proper safety equipment—it's how quickly you can get protected.
Take Action Today
Don't wait for an incident to occur. The families affected by the New Farm explosion, the North Narrabeen fire, and the tragic Lawnton house fire likely never imagined it would happen to them. With new regulations taking effect and fire services issuing urgent warnings, now is the time to ensure you have the right protection.
Visit EV Fire Solutions at https://evfiresolutions.com.au to explore our specialised E-Bike and E-Scooter Fire Safety Bundle. Because when it comes to lithium-ion battery fires, being prepared isn't just smart—it could save lives.
References
AccomNews. (2024, April 24). E-scooter apartment inferno reignites safety concerns. https://www.accomnews.com.au/2024/04/e-scooter-apartment-inferno-ignites-safety-concerns/
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. (2023, October 4). Lithium-ion batteries and consumer product safety [Report]. https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/lithium-ion-batteries.pdf
Bicycling Australia. (2024, June 26). Is my e-bike battery safe? https://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/news/is-my-e-bike-battery-safe/
EV Fire Solutions. (2024, June 16). E-bike fire safety: Understanding the risks and protecting your home. https://evfiresolutions.com.au/blogs/news/e-bike-fire-safety-understanding-the-risks-and-protecting-your-home
Fire and Rescue NSW. (2025). Four e-scooter and e-bike fires in 12 hours across Sydney. https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/incident.php?record=recHBPsUIwd2UjGoh
Flow Mountain Bike. (2025, May 30). Legal, illegal & everything in between: Australia's e-bike dilemma. https://flowmountainbike.com/features/e-bike-non-compliant-e-bikes-surrons/
InQueensland. (2023, March 21). One burns every day: Researchers say scooters pose major fire risk. https://www.inqld.com.au/news/2023/03/21/one-burns-every-day-researchers-say-e-scooters-now-major-fire-risk
New Farm News. (2024, April 24). New Farm explosion: E-scooter charging incident leaves two critical. https://newfarmnews.com.au/new-farm-explosion-e-scooter-charging-incident-leaves-two-critical/
Northern Beaches Advocate. (2024, November 27). E-scooter fire sparks safety call. https://www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au/2024/11/27/e-scooter-fire-sparks-safety-call/
The Nightly. (2024, November 24). Lawnton, Queensland: Teen dead, four critical after horrific blaze, police investigate e-scooter battery link. https://thenightly.com.au/australia/queensland/lawnton-queensland-teen-dead-four-critical-after-horrific-blaze-police-investigate-e-scooter-battery-link-c-20774158
UNSW Newsroom. (2023, March 20). Seven things you need to know about lithium-ion battery safety. https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2023/03/seven-things-you-need-to-know-about-lithium-ion-battery-safety