By Brooke Davies
Copyright metro
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London is burning from e-bike fires caused by faulty batteries and chargers – and more people are at risk of being killed.
Some 165 fires involved the vehicles in 2025 up to September 28, averaging about 18 per month.
If this rate continues, London will surpass 200 incidents in a single year for the first time, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.
Four people have died from e-bike fires in the capital, none of whom used or owned the vehicle.
Sofia Duarte, 21, was at her boyfriend’s flat on Old Kent Road after they finished a New Year’s Eve shift at a nightclub in 2024 when an e-bike near the building’s front door suddenly exploded while charging.
Sofia Duarte died in a fire caused by an e-bike on New Year’s Day in London (Picture: London Fire Brigade/SWNS)
The bike that caused the fire on Old Kent Road which killed Sofia (Picture: London Fire Brigade/SWNS)
A second e-bike nearby then also exploded and the fire spread through the home, trapping her inside.
‘She was the first person to die in London in a fire caused by an e-bike in , and the pain has only gotten worse,’ family friend Alda Simoes told Metro.
‘Her mum is getting worse day-by-day. All the anniversaries and holidays which are being celebrated without her daughter, it is becoming too much.’
Why do e-bikes catch fire so easily?
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Fires involving lithium batteries – which are used for e-bikes and e-scooters – can spread rapidly and produce a toxic vapour, LFB said.
Batteries, chargers and e-bike conversion kits bought from online marketplaces are at greater risk of malfunctioning because they have not been subject to the same level of regulation as high street shops, LFB added.
Most recently Eden Abera Siem, 30, died in hospital after a fire broke out at her home on Lordship Lane, Wood Green, on June 21 due to a faulty battery.
Mark Reece, an e-bike safety expert at Rev Monkey, told Metro: ‘The rise in fire incidents is largely tied to poorly manufactured or unregulated batteries, often found in off-brand, counterfeit bikes or heavily modified setups, that are flooding the UK streets.
‘E-bikes are the future, but only when safety is prioritised through buying from a legitimate, trusted e-bike supplier.’
The aftermath of an e-bike fire in Woolwich (Picture: LFB/PA Wire)
The LFB said gig economy companies should do more to raise awareness about fire risks from e-bikes (Picture: LFB/PA Wire)
What can be done to help prevent e-bike fires?
A petition, created in tribute to Sofia Duarte by her mother Maria and family friend Alda Simoes, resulted in a ban on all non-foldable e-bikes on most of Transport for London’s services.
Ms Simoes said: ‘We had to channel our energy somehow. Sofia did not die in vain. Her death will prevent others.’
In February an e-bike exploded on a London Underground platform at Rayners Lane and in April last year an e-bike exploded at Sutton Station.
The LFB said gig economy companies should do more to raise awareness about fire risks from e-bikes.
It wrote to delivery companies Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo this week to ask them to share safety advice with their riders.
Four people have died from e-bike fires in the capital, none of whom used or owned the vehicle (Picture: LFB/PA Wire)
In October last year the Department for Business and Trade launched a campaign calling on people to buy only safe electrical products from reputable sellers.
Pamela Oparaocha, LFB’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, said: ‘We continue to see the devastating consequences of e-bike and e-scooter fires in London.
‘Our thoughts are with the family of Eden as well as all those who have been impacted by fires in recent years.
‘Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters are worryingly common in London.
‘Since the beginning of 2023, we have attended a fire, on average, every other day, and some of these fires have destroyed homes and claimed lives.’
How to choose and own a safe e-bike
Mark Reece, e-bike safety expert at Rev Monkey said: ‘Choosing a well-tested bike manufacturer and a legitimate seller is vital.
‘Bike fans can ensure their bike meets safety standards and that their bike is UK-tested by ensuring the bike is CE tested and contains a CE-marked aluminium tag on their delivered product before using.’
CE testing means the product has met relevant European health, safety, and environmental standards.
Brands which meet international safety standards on their batteries undergo a more rigorous testing procedure and quality control.
Using the original charger is also a simple way to reduce the risk of explosion.
Mr Reece said: ‘When buying an e-bike, look out for high-quality lithium-ion battery packs designed with multiple layers of protection against overcharging, short circuits, and thermal runaway.
‘Check the information about the Battery Management Systems (BMS), ensuring the battery operates within safe limits even under heavy use.
‘Like any electronic product, always use the original charger, inspect your device regularly, and avoid charging near flammable materials.’
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