Ebike battery: How to Avoid Fire Hazards?

Electric bikes are getting popular at a high pace due to their benefits. However, they come with some issues as well. One of those issues is the batteries of these bikes catching fire. According to the New York Fire Department, there have been 13 deaths and 74 injuries because of these batteries catching fire in 2023 so far. There are several reasons behind the fire hazards of these batteries, with a major one being careless behavior from the users. This article teaches you how to avoid fire hazards from the E-Bike battery.

Common causes of fire hazards in Ebike batteries

There are several reasons behind fire hazards in the batteries of electric bikes, including the following:

1. Poor battery material
2. Causing physical damage to the battery
3. Exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures
4. Not maintaining the right charging conditions

Top 10 tips on how to avoid fire hazards in your Ebike battery

Here are our top 10 tips on how you can avoid fire hazards in the battery of your electric bikes.

1. Regularly inspect the battery for problem identification.

You need to periodically check the battery of your budget electric bikes to see if they have any problems. Signs of a battery having problems include swelling, leakage, and any other signs of damage. So, if you see any of these signs, it is recommended to replace the battery since the chances of a damaged battery catching fire are higher.

2. Properly store your battery in perfect condition.

Proper storage is essential to keep your batteries away from fire hazards. Storing your battery in direct sunlight and extreme heat can degrade its life. That will increase the chances of the battery catching fire. Meanwhile, if you store the battery in a cool and dry place, the chances of fire hazards will decrease.

3. Prevent fire hazards by using compatible chargers.

It is very important to use a compatible charger with your battery. One that comes with the electric bikes is the best. Otherwise, you may get one that the manufacturer recommends. Using a charger that is incompatible with your battery will increase damage to the battery. Hence, the chances of fire will increase.

4. Never let your battery get any physical damage.

You need to protect your battery from physical damage as much as possible. Some common ways you can damage the battery include:

• Puncturing it
• Dropping the battery
• Hitting it or giving physical stress

When a battery is safe from these problems, it stays in better shape, making it safer from fire hazards.

5. Protect your battery from exposure to water.

Exposure to water can mean different things. It can mean direct exposure to water, extremely humid environments, or submerging the battery in water. Even if a battery says it is water resistant, you don’t need to expose it to water. It will prevent short circuits, the biggest cause of fire in batteries.

6. Avoid overcharging the e-bike battery.

You don’t want the battery of your budget electric bike to overcharge. Don’t leave the battery on charging after it is full. Instead, remove it and store it when charging is complete. Overcharging makes the battery overheat, causing more frequent fires.

7. Pick the right quality battery and prefer manufacturer parts

When choosing a battery for electric bikes for adults, you need to pick high-quality parts. It is best to stick to the manufacturer's parts that the manufacturer recommends. If you get anything other than that, ensure there is no compromise on quality.

8. Keep the battery away from flammable materials or conditions

When storing electric bike batteries for adults, you need to store them away from heat sources and flammable compounds. An unsafe environment can increase the fire hazards for your battery.

9. Properly dispose of the old batteries instead of storing them

It is a common practice to store old batteries of budget electric bikes after replacing them with new ones. Even when old batteries are not used, they can cause fire due to bad battery health. So, dispose of it properly at a local battery accepting/recycling unit.

10. Stay updated with news from the manufacturer.

Updating with manufacturer news tells you if the manufacturer recalls a specific model or part. They do this whenever they detect a potential problem. When you stay up to date, you can get the battery replaced by the manufacturer, reducing fire hazards and other problems at your end.

Conclusion

E-bike batteries have many benefits along with some demerits, like fire hazards. Riders can reduce the chances of fire hazards by knowing the root of this problem. It helps to take the right steps to prevent the event from happening. Prioritizing safety as the e-bike market expands will help keep you safe and make e-bikes a safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation.