Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Statistics in Australia

The official figures on lithium-ion battery fires in Australia, in one place, with the source for every number. We update this page as fire services publish new data.

332lithium-ion battery incidents attended by Fire and Rescue NSW in 2025
101%increase in NSW incidents between 2022 (165) and 2025 (332)
100+e-bike battery fires attended by FRNSW in 2025, reached by 28 November
10,000+estimated battery fires a year across Australian waste and recycling

New South Wales: Fire and Rescue NSW incidents

Year Lithium-ion battery incidents Source
2022 165 Fire and Rescue NSW, 17 Feb 2025
2023 272 Fire and Rescue NSW, 17 Feb 2025
2024 323 Fire and Rescue NSW, 17 Feb 2025
2025 332 NSW Government, 7 Apr 2026
2026 (to early April) 62 in the community, plus at least 12 in garbage trucks, waste facilities and tips NSW Government, 7 Apr 2026

Early 2025 reports quoted 318 fires for 2024. That was a preliminary count; Fire and Rescue NSW later reported 323 once incident data was finalised. Most incidents involve e-bikes, e-scooters and household devices rather than electric cars.

Waste and recycling

The waste industry estimates 10,000 to 12,000 battery-related fires a year across Australia, most caused by batteries thrown into household bins. In early 2026 the NSW Government reported a further 103 waste industry fires suspected to involve batteries, and NSW's mandatory battery stewardship regulation is expected to commence on 1 October 2026.

Other states

Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services reported 87 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in the first seven months of 2025, the most common ignition source being batteries not on charge, in storage or rubbish. Victorian authorities report responding to lithium-ion battery fires roughly once a week. National fire service totals are not yet published in a consistent format, so state figures are not directly comparable.

Using these figures? Please cite the original source listed below rather than this page, and check the date: counts are revised as fire services finalise their data.

Sources

  1. NSW Government (7 April 2026). NSW leads the country in battery reform to fight fires and pollution. nsw.gov.au
  2. Fire and Rescue NSW (17 February 2025). Lithium-ion battery fire results in man being airlifted to hospital, Umina. fire.nsw.gov.au
  3. Fire and Rescue NSW (28 November 2025). 100th e-bike battery fire sparks terrace blaze. fire.nsw.gov.au
  4. NSW Government (2024). NSW leads the charge on mandatory battery safety. nsw.gov.au
  5. Echo News (24 July 2025). Lithium-ion battery blamed for Aveley house fire [DFES figures]. echonewspaper.com.au
  6. Geelong Independent (22 December 2025). Check before you gift it. geelongindy.com.au

Last updated 28 October 2026. Need equipment for a site? See our lithium-ion fire safety range or request a bulk quote.