Rising Lithium-ion Battery Fires in UK Urban Centers
Fire brigades across the UK are now responding to at least three lithium-ion battery fires daily, according to a recent study by QBE Insurance. The research, based on Freedom of Information requests to fire services in March 2025, reveals a 93% surge in such fires between 2022 and 2024.
Lithium-ion batteries, which power various consumer products including e-bikes, e-scooters, electric vehicles, smartphones, and power tools, were responsible for 1,330 fires in 2024, up from 690 in 2022. The most significant increase was observed in e-bike fires, which doubled over the two-year period to 362 in 2024, accounting for 27% of all lithium-ion battery-related fires.
The London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of incidents, with 407 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2024 – more than four times higher than the next region. London also accounted for 49% of all e-bike fire incidents nationwide. Greater Manchester reported 100 incidents, followed by West Yorkshire, covering Leeds and Bradford, with 94.
QBE identified residential properties as the most common location for these fires, followed by outdoor spaces and commercial premises. Between 2022 and 2024, electric car fires rose from 131 to 232, marking a 77% increase. While the total number of electric vehicles on UK roads has more than doubled in the same period, the insurer highlighted the unique challenges associated with these fires.
Fires involving electric scooters rose by 32% to 156 in 2024, while incidents linked to electric mobility scooters increased by 20% to 30. According to QBE, people with reduced mobility are particularly at risk due to the added difficulty of exiting premises quickly during a fire.
The improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries has led to a notable rise in incidents within the UK waste management system. Over 1,200 fires were reported in bin lorries and waste processing sites over the past year, a 71% increase from 2022.
In commercial settings, workplace safety protocols appear to be lagging behind the increased use of lithium-ion battery-powered devices. A survey found that 71% of UK organisations have not updated their fire risk assessments to include specific measures for lithium-ion batteries.
QBE is advocating for tighter regulatory oversight of lithium-ion battery-powered products. The insurer emphasized that many users still lack the necessary information to manage these technologies safely in domestic and commercial environments.
In support of public awareness efforts, the London Fire Brigade has introduced the #ChargeSafe campaign, which provides safety guidance for the use of e-bikes and e-scooters. The initiative highlights basic precautions, including not charging batteries overnight or in exit routes, and avoiding damaged or non-compliant chargers.
Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE Insurance, called for legislative action, suggesting the UK ban the sale of unregulated e-bikes and similar products through the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.
“Lithium-ion battery fires continue increasing at a worrying pace. These fires burn differently, they take longer to tackle, typically need ten times more water to put out and are often more harmful to the surrounding environment. People need to understand the risks and how to deal with them,” he said.
