According to the Brigade, 206 fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters were recorded last year, the highest annual total to date. Of these incidents, 171 involved e-bikes and 35 involved e-scooters. Firefighters were called to an average of 17 such incidents per month.

Two people died in e-bike and e-scooter fires in 2025, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to these incidents in London to five since 2023.

Causes of fires

The London Fire Brigade has stated that many of the fires were caused by faulty or poorly constructed products, often purchased online or second-hand. In particular, failures of lithium-ion batteries, chargers and conversion kits were identified as common causes.

A Brigade spokesperson said these components can fail violently, leading to rapidly developing and highly destructive fires.

Locations most affected

Lewisham and Southwark recorded the highest number of incidents in 2025, with 16 fires each. Tower Hamlets followed with 15, Lambeth recorded 12, and Westminster recorded 11.

Hither Green incident

In March 2025, firefighters attended a serious fire at a first-floor flat in Hither Green, Lewisham. Occupants reported hearing a loud bang before a partition wall collapsed. The fire blocked the main escape route, forcing three people to jump from the first-floor window to escape.

The incident was later confirmed to have been caused by the failure of a lithium-ion battery in an e-scooter. One person was injured and another required a week-long stay in hospital.

Calls for tighter regulation

New legislation introduced in 2024 gave the government powers to hold online marketplaces accountable for the products they sell. However, the London Fire Brigade is calling for secondary legislation to introduce stricter safety standards for lithium-ion batteries, chargers and conversion kits.

Deputy Commissioner Spencer Sutcliff said firefighters now attend an e-bike or e-scooter fire, on average, every other day. He added that several lithium-ion battery fires have already occurred in early 2026, warning that such fires can be explosive and have devastating consequences.

Ongoing concerns

Zack Polanski, Chair of the London Assembly Fire Committee, said the committee had raised serious concerns with the government as early as 2023.

Despite previous warnings and multiple fatalities, he said the number of incidents continues to rise, describing the trend as a serious and ongoing fire safety concern. The Fire Committee has stated it will continue to investigate the issue to help reduce fire risk and improve public safety.

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