Quick answer: Most e-scooter battery fires start during charging. Use only the charger that came with your scooter or one the manufacturer recommends, charge on a hard surface away from your escape route, never charge while you are asleep or out, unplug when it is full, and stop using any battery that is swollen, hot, hissing or smells unusual. If it catches fire, get out, close the door and call the fire service.
Why e-scooter batteries can catch fire
E-scooters use lithium-ion batteries. Dublin Fire Brigade explains that these batteries are safe when used properly but present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or damaged. The London Fire Brigade says most fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters happen while the battery is charging (London Fire Brigade). When a lithium battery does fail, Dublin Fire Brigade warns that it produces its own oxygen as it burns, so the fire escalates quickly (Dublin Fire Brigade).
Regulators take the risk seriously. In the UK, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) warns that lithium-ion batteries can present serious fire or explosion hazards (OPSS). In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a proposed rule on 24 June 2026 to address the risk of death and injury from lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products, including thermal runaway leading to fires, explosions and smoke inhalation. The comment period closed on 24 August 2026 (Federal Register).
Buying safely
Fire risk starts at the checkout. OPSS sets out five steps for owners, and the first is to research: only buy an e-scooter, charger or battery from a known seller and check product reviews (OPSS). Other official advice adds detail:
- Ireland: Dublin Fire Brigade advises buying from reputable retailers, checking packaging for traceable manufacturer information, returning products with missing or poorly written manuals, and having second-hand devices inspected by a qualified technician (Dublin Fire Brigade).
- US: the CPSC advises only using the charger that came with your device and only using an approved replacement battery pack (CPSC).
- Australia: NSW Fair Trading advises looking for an electrical safety approval mark on the vehicle, battery and charger, and never using a second-hand battery because it could be damaged, modified or faulty (NSW Fair Trading).
Many manufacturers list the safety standards their scooters are certified to. Segway, for example, says several models on its US store are tested and certified by TÜV Rheinland for UL 2272, and Apollo lists UL 2271 and UL 2272 on its Canadian product pages (Segway, Apollo). Checking for this kind of information is a good habit when comparing models.
How to charge safely
The London Fire Brigade’s charging advice is clear and practical (London Fire Brigade):
- Use the charger supplied with the battery or one recommended by the manufacturer. Using the wrong charger can overload the battery.
- Follow the manufacturer’s charging instructions.
- Let the battery cool after a ride before you charge it.
- Charge on a hard, flat surface where heat can escape.
- Never leave a battery charging unattended or while you are asleep.
- Unplug the charger once charging has finished.
- Fit a smoke alarm where you charge, and make sure your household has an escape plan.
Other fire services add useful points. Dublin Fire Brigade suggests charging outside where possible, never charging in the communal areas of an apartment block because they are protected escape routes, not charging in a hallway, and never covering a scooter with coats or other insulating materials while it is charging or in use (Dublin Fire Brigade). NSW Fair Trading advises against charging on flammable surfaces such as carpets or bedding (NSW Fair Trading).
How to store your scooter and battery
- Keep exits clear. Store and charge away from main exit routes and never block an escape path (London Fire Brigade).
- Avoid temperature extremes. The London Fire Brigade advises protecting batteries from extreme heat or cold. Xiaomi, for example, lists a charging temperature of 0°C to 40°C and a storage temperature of -20°C to 45°C for its Electric Scooter 5 (Xiaomi).
- Consider where large batteries live. NSW Fair Trading suggests storing large batteries in garages or sheds, away from living areas (NSW Fair Trading).
- Do not use damaged batteries. Do not charge or use batteries that have been dropped or damaged (London Fire Brigade).
Warning signs a battery is failing
The London Fire Brigade lists these warning signs (London Fire Brigade):
- Heat: batteries normally get a little warm, but one that is extremely hot to the touch may be faulty.
- Change in shape: swelling, bulging, lumps, leaks or visible damage to the casing.
- Noise: hissing or cracking sounds.
- Smell: a strong or unusual chemical smell.
Dublin Fire Brigade adds that a scooter behaving erratically could be a sign that the battery is damaged and needs replacing (Dublin Fire Brigade). If you notice any of these signs, the London Fire Brigade advises that you stop using the battery, unplug it, contact the manufacturer or retailer, and report a faulty battery to your local Trading Standards office in the UK (London Fire Brigade). In NSW you can report unsafe products to NSW Fair Trading (NSW Fair Trading).
Never modify your battery
OPSS lists “never” as its fifth step: do not attempt to modify or tamper with your battery (OPSS). The CPSC also warns against using modified batteries or devices with repurposed cells (CPSC). Segway’s user manual for the Max G30P tells owners not to disassemble or puncture the battery and states that there are no user-serviceable parts (Segway manual).
What to do if a battery catches fire
Do not try to put it out yourself. The London Fire Brigade says to get out, alert others and call 999, noting that lithium-ion battery fires can spread rapidly and produce toxic smoke (London Fire Brigade). Dublin Fire Brigade gives this sequence (Dublin Fire Brigade):
- Unplug the charger only if it is safe to do so.
- Close the door of the room to contain the fire and smoke.
- Get everyone out immediately.
- Call 999 or 112 and tell the operator an e-device is involved.
- Do not go back inside.
In the US and Canada the emergency number is 911, and in Australia it is 000.
Disposing of old batteries
Do not put lithium batteries in household rubbish or ordinary recycling. The CPSC advises taking them to a battery recycling site or household hazardous waste collection point (CPSC). Segway’s manual also tells owners to follow local laws on battery recycling and disposal (Segway manual).
Quick checklist
- Bought from a known seller, with the original or manufacturer-approved charger.
- Charging on a hard surface, away from exits, with a smoke alarm nearby.
- Never charging overnight or while out, and unplugging when full.
- Checking regularly for heat, swelling, noises and smells.
- No modifications, no second-hand batteries.
Sources
- How to charge e-bikes and e-scooters safely (London Fire Brigade) (london-fire.gov.uk)
- #ChargeSafe: Warning signs for e-bike and e-scooter fires (London Fire Brigade) (london-fire.gov.uk)
- Government safety message on e-bikes and e-scooters (OPSS, GOV.UK)
- E-scooter, e-bike and hoverboard injuries and deaths are on the rise (US CPSC) (cpsc.gov)
- Safety Standard for Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Micromobility Products, proposed rule (Federal Register) (federalregister.gov)
- Fire safety for e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards (Dublin Fire Brigade) (dublincity.ie)
- Lithium-ion battery safety (NSW Fair Trading) (nsw.gov.au)
- Segway E2 Plus II Electric Scooter (Segway US official store) (store.segway.com)
- Apollo City 2.0 (Apollo Scooters Canada) (apolloscooters.ca)
- Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 specs (Xiaomi UK) (mi.com)
- Ninebot KickScooter Max G30P user manual (Segway) (store.segway.com)