53%: That’s the increase in structural fires caused by lithium-ion e-bike batteries in New York City just this year.
Once a day: That’s how often UK fire fighters are now tackling e-bike fires.
These startling statistics spotlight a growing problem in the battery world: e-bikes are catching fire — and it’s happening more often. If we want cleaner transportation powered by safe, sustainable batteries, something has to change.
Powered by the same lithium-ion battery systems, electric bikes pose a similar fire risk to electric vehicles. And like electric cars, e-bike use is on the rise. As more and more hit the roads, the risk of fire continues to grow.
Read more: Discover the dangers of EV fires and the innovations that can prevent them
The ease of adoption of e-bikes is one of their downfalls. Low-cost models may use poorly manufactured cells that don’t meet safety standards, or operate at dangerous power levels. Many e-bike fires are tied to faulty charging equipment, cheap or counterfeit batteries, improper charging practices, and overloaded home circuits.
In response, New York has taken action by banning the resale of secondhand or off-market e-bike batteries to help curb the risk. But the problem persists globally, especially in dense urban areas like New York where bikes are stored indoors, increasing the danger when a fire breaks out in a home or apartment building.
Lithium-ion battery fires are especially dangerous due to thermal runaway, a chain reaction that makes fires extremely difficult to extinguish once they begin. Because of this danger, our focus needs to be on preventing the fires before they even start.
Current solutions, like cell-to-cell thermal barriers or battery management systems that monitor a battery’s health, offer some protection. But they fail to address the root cause. Instead, a proactive solution starts inside the battery, all the way at the electrolyte level.
At 24M, we're addressing battery safety from the inside out. Our Impervio separator technology suppresses dendrite growth in the electrolyte — one of the major causes of internal short circuits. Dendrites can form during overcharging or regular wear and tear, piercing internal components and triggering fires. By stopping dendrites before they form, we prevent short circuits, even in overcharged batteries.
E-bikes are one of the most exciting clean transportation technologies of today. They reduce emissions and offer an affordable alternative to cars. But without serious investment in battery safety, their reputation will start to work against them. It's time for regulators, manufacturers and technology innovators to work together and build safer battery systems from the ground up.