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Take care when buying and charging e-bikes and scooters this Christmas,” is the advice from trading standards officers and firefighters in Nottinghamshire ahead of the festive season

E-bikes and e-scooters contain lithium-ion batteries and a number of fires across the county mean that Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) are issuing safety advice to those looking to bag a bargain while doing their Christmas shopping.

When purchasing an e-bike or e-scooter, consumers are reminded to only buy from reputable sellers and to do their research before committing. The presence of the CE or the UKCA mark is essential to make sure that the product is safe for use and buyers are also being advised to check compatibility between the battery and the charger.

Trading standards officers also advise that following the manufacturer's instructions is essential and that if the instructions are missing, to check the manufacturers website for information on charging and maintenance.

Using damaged or counterfeit batteries has also been identified as a cause of fires in e-bikes and e-scooters and so consumers purchasing a new battery should take care to only purchase from a reputable retailer.

A recent shed fire in Nottinghamshire has highlighted that caution is also needed after purchasing e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly when charging.

In April 2025, firefighters were called to a property in Stapleford where a shed had exploded. Firefighters from Stapleford, West Bridgford, Highfields and Stockhill attended the incident, which was most likely caused by a lithium-ion bike which had been left on charge overnight.

Firefighters advise that when charging e-bikes and e-scooters, you should avoid charging them overnight as this can lead to overcharging and overheating. Other advice includes avoiding charging these items near exits and escape routes of your home.

Trading Standards officers and firefighters are also highlighting the dangers of tampering or making changes to these items making changes to them as this can lead to short circuiting and an increased risk of fire.

Councillor Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “This serious incident is an example of why we’re giving this safety advice at a time where we know many of you may be looking to purchase an e-bike or e-scooter.

“Buying from reputable sellers and making sure products have either the CE or UKCA mark is the best way to make sure you’re buying a genuine and safe product, and without these markings, you cannot be sure that your new e-bike or e-scooter is safe for use.

“Our trading standards team cannot emphasise enough that these products, which contain lithium-ion batteries, should be handled and used with care. Making any modifications to them only increases the risk of fire and it is not worth the risk.”

Richard Leighton, Group Manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Lithium-ion batteries can be extremely dangerous if they are damaged, charged incorrectly, or used with incompatible chargers.

“We see the devastating impacts these fires can have, and in many cases, they leave homes completely destroyed and put lives at serious risk.

“Our advice is to only buy e-scooters and e-bikes from reputable retailers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and never leave them unattended or charging overnight.

“Taking these precautions could prevent a catastrophic fire and save lives, and we will continue to do all we can with our partners to ensure incidents like this don’t happen.”

If you think a product is unsafe and could harm people, you should report your concerns to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.  Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Call from landlines and mobiles are free.

Watch a video of the April 2025 shed explosion:

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