Key Points
- A record 206 e-bike and e-scooter fires occurred in London in 2025, as revealed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) using data collated by the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
- Two Londoners died in these blazes, raising the total fatalities linked to such vehicles to five since 2023.
- Fires are primarily caused by faulty or poorly built vehicles, often purchased online or second-hand, with lithium-ion batteries, conversion kits, and chargers failing.
- LFB reports an average of 17 incidents per month in 2025, comprising 171 e-bike fires and 35 e-scooter fires.
- Lewisham and Southwark recorded the highest number of incidents with 16 each, followed by Tower Hamlets (15), Lambeth (12), and Westminster (11).
- A notable incident in Hither Green, Lewisham, in March 2025 involved Jahmell Campbell, his father, and grandmother escaping a fire caused by a failing e-scooter lithium-ion battery.
- LFB Deputy Commissioner Spencer Sutcliff highlighted firefighters attending an e-bike or e-scooter fire every other day and called for urgent secondary legislation on batteries and conversion kits.
- New laws from last year empower the government to hold online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon accountable, but LFB seeks stricter standards.
- Zack Polanski, chair of the London Assembly’s fire committee, urged better regulation, citing concerns raised in 2023 over unregulated online products and unsafe charging practices.
- Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, warned of sub-standard products undermining reputable manufacturers and recommended mandatory third-party certification, stronger conversion kit standards, and online marketplace accountability.
Haringey (North London News) January 28, 2026 – A record-breaking 206 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters blazed across London in 2025, claiming two lives and pushing the total fatalities from such incidents to five since 2023, according to figures collated by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and revealed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The surge, averaging 17 incidents per month, has been largely attributed to faulty lithium-ion batteries, substandard conversion kits, and mismatched chargers in vehicles often bought cheaply online or second-hand. With firefighters responding to these blazes every other day, senior LFB figures are pressing ministers for swift regulatory action to curb the risks posed by non-compliant products.
Why Have E-Bike and E-Scooter Fires Surged in London?
The LFB data underscores a alarming trend, with 171 e-bike fires and 35 e-scooter fires recorded throughout 2025. As reported by Haringey Community Press, these incidents are predominantly driven by poorly constructed vehicles, where lithium-ion batteries – the power source for these devices – fail catastrophically. Conversion kits, added to standard bikes to electrify them, and incompatible chargers exacerbate the dangers, often leading to explosive blazes.
Deputy Commissioner Spencer Sutcliff of the LFB stated:
“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.”
He emphasised the unique fire safety challenges posed by damaged or non-compliant batteries, mismatched components, and the prevalence of online sales of risky products.
Which London Boroughs Were Hit Hardest?
Geographic data from the LFB reveals stark disparities across boroughs. Lewisham and Southwark topped the list with 16 fires each, closely followed by Tower Hamlets with 15, Lambeth with 12, and Westminster with 11. These hotspots highlight how densely populated urban areas, with high multi-occupancy housing, amplify the risks of e-bike and e-scooter usage.
A harrowing example unfolded in Hither Green, Lewisham, in March 2025, as detailed in the Haringey Community Press report. Occupants heard a loud bang, followed by the collapse of a partition wall into a bedroom, with flames rapidly blocking the escape route. Jahmell Campbell, his father, and grandmother were forced to jump from their first-floor flat to safety.
What Did Victims Experience in These Fires?
Jahmell Campbell recounted the terror to reporters:
“It was like a grenade had been thrown into the flat. I jumped out of the front first-floor flat window to escape. My dad didn’t know where I was and could not hear me shouting to him. I tried to go back into the building and go up the stairs but I knew if I opened the door to the flat, the fire would come out – the door handle was so hot.”
He added:
“My grandma jumped and my dad was injured too. My grandma was in hospital for a week. I am not sure how we all made it out of the house alive but thankfully everyone is fine now.”
Fire officials attributed the blaze to a lithium-ion battery failure in an e-scooter.
This incident exemplifies the explosive nature of these fires, which can spread rapidly in residential settings, endangering not just owners but entire buildings.
What Is the London Fire Brigade Demanding from Government?
LFB leaders are advocating for accelerated regulation. Deputy Commissioner Sutcliff remarked:
“We’ve been calling for regulation to improve product safety and are thankful for the work already done by the government to help tackle this issue. We look forward to working with the government on its consultation for secondary legislation, when it is introduced, to help tackle this issue head-on.”
He continued:
“We hope this is done as soon as possible to reduce the number of customers being exposed to dangerous products available for purchase online, and ultimately drive down the number of fires. We understand the importance of green and sustainable modes of transport and recognise the positive impact of e-bikes and e-scooters. However, poorly built, non-compliant or damaged lithium batteries in these products, as well as the use of mismatched batteries and chargers, present unique fire safety challenges.”
New legislation introduced last year grants the government powers to hold online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon accountable for unsafe products. Yet, the LFB insists on urgent secondary measures to enforce strict battery standards and regulate conversion kits.
How Has the London Assembly Responded?
Zack Polanski, chair of the London Assembly’s fire committee, told the LDRS:
“The London Assembly fire committee raised serious concerns with the Government and urged better regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters in 2023, with key areas of concern including unregulated products, predominantly bought online, and unsafe charging in multi-occupancy or multi-storey residential buildings, meaning others can be put at risk.”
He warned:
“Despite several people already losing their lives in London, and dozens being injured due to failures of e-bike lithium-ion batteries, it is evident that the issue is persistent and rising, which is a serious concern. The fire committee will continue to investigate these issues to keep Londoners safe from fire risk.”
This ongoing scrutiny dates back years, reflecting a persistent policy push.
What Safety Warnings Come from Electrical Experts?
Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, described the statistics as “a stark warning that the current regulatory system is failing to keep people safe.” She noted:
“Whilst reputable manufacturers of these devices produce high quality and safe products, this is continuously undermined by sub-standard versions flooding the market, often sold via poorly regulated online marketplaces who are currently not legally responsible for the safety of goods sold via their platforms.”
Rudd recommended a multi-faceted approach:
“E-bike and e-scooter fires can happen for many reasons, which is why we recommend a range of measures to reduce the fire risk. This includes the introduction of mandatory third-party certification for e-bike batteries, stronger standards for conversion kits, new laws to ensure online marketplaces are legally responsible for the safety of goods sold on their sites, and further work on raising awareness with the public about the risks of modifications and risky charging practices.”
What Broader Context Frames These Incidents?
The two fatalities in 2025 bring the death toll to five since 2023, underscoring a deadly escalation. While e-bikes and e-scooters promote sustainable transport, their fire risks – particularly from lithium-ion batteries – demand balanced policy responses. As Haringey, a North London borough, falls within the affected region, this story resonates locally amid wider capital-wide concerns.
Fire services and advocates alike stress education on safe charging and avoidance of unverified online purchases. With 2026 already seeing incidents, the pressure mounts for legislative haste to prevent further tragedies.
