Fire Risk

'Fire! Fire! Fire!’ The Perplexing, Deadly Electric Bike Problem. 

Malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries in the increasingly popular form of transportation have been linked to numerous explosions, blazes, and deaths—and little is being done to reduce the danger.

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/electric-bikes/electric-bike-fires-and-lithium-ion-batteries-a4632489902/

When the lithium-ion batteries used in the bikes are poorly made, overused, or charged too long, though, they can cause fires. “It’s very violent, very fast, it’s hard to extinguish,” says Daniel E. Flynn, chief fire marshal at the Bureau of Fire Investigation in New York City’s fire department. “In the battery pack, when they do fail, they can shoot these cells as far as 60 feet, so multiple fires can be related to the battery failing,” he says

Beyond speed and power definitions, what specific requirements does the CPSC have for electric bikes? There are none. Zero.

In 2020, UL introduced a standard for electric bikes. UL certification is expensive and time-consuming, but given the potential dangers, but so far has received little attention. Some companies are willing to talk with UL, but they are reluctant to take it further. 

Specialized issued a recall on some battery packs on certain electric mountain bike models in May 2021 due to fire risks posed by defects on these batteries. The models included the first-generation Turbo Levo and Kenevo models manufactured between 2017 and 2019.

It has issued an expanded recall that covers a wider range of e-bike models that share the same battery pack. It posted a recall notice on its website highlighting all the battery part numbers and manufacturing dates. Furthermore, the company stated that it will try to individually contact riders who may be affected with the issue either by email, as well as a notification on the Turbo Mission Control mobile application.