E-bikes and e-scooters have become wildly popular over the past few years; Americans use them to commute to work, deliver food, go to school, and get around the city, all for a much lower cost than driving and insuring a car.
But as the popularity of e-scooters and e-bikes rises, so have reports of lithium-ion battery fires. And these aren’t anything like a fire that starts on the stove.
Instead, lithium-ion batteries cause some of the fastest-moving, hardest-to-escape house fires in the country. Firefighters use different strategies to extinguish lithium battery fires and the industry has repeatedly warned they can reignite up to 48 hours later.
As consumers continue to purchase e-scooters and e-bikes, wrongful death and dangerous product lawsuits have surged alongside accident injuries. In many cases, companies have not only failed to meet safety standards but outright faked the certification needed to sell these products in the U.S.
With no federal legislation regarding safety certification, many states and cities are introducing their own restrictions. A city ordinance proposed in San Francisco would prohibit the sale of uncertified lithium-ion batteries and devices powered by them. But advocates say there needs to be laws at the federal level to better protect Americans.
If you have an e-bike, e-scooter, or other product with lithium-ion batteries, understand the risks and causes of fires and how to protect yourself. It’s also important to be aware of fake safety certifications, insurance implications, and legal options when injured or property damage occurs.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Statistics in the U.S.
With the use of lithium-ion batteries in everything from e-scooters to cell phones and power tools, the dangers are clearly reflected in accident statistics.
Between 2019 and 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) connected 227 fire, explosion, and smoke-inhalation incidents to lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and similar mobility products. They caused 39 deaths and 181 injuries, but the Commission says these numbers are likely far lower than the true toll, which is shown through data from New York City.
NYC tracks the hazard more closely than anywhere else in the country; they reported 268 lithium-ion battery fires in 2023 and another 277 in 2024. Fatalities fell sharply after increased enforcement and public education, from 18 deaths in 2023 to six in 2024, and just one in 2025.
However, data from the New York City Fire Department shows these battery fires are climbing again, with 282 incidents and 55 injuries and one death in the first half of 2026.
Why Do Lithium-Ion Batteries Catch Fire?
Nearly every incident traces back to a process called thermal runaway. Inside a lithium-ion cell, damage, defects, or extreme heat can trigger an uncontrollable chemical chain reaction. The reaction generates intense heat, releases flammable gas, and can erupt into fire or explosion within seconds.
Compared to the three minutes people have to escape other types of house fires, those caused by lithium-ion batteries cut escape time down to 30 seconds or less.
The CPSC notes that products were being charged in more than half of all reported incidents, and that they caused a disproportionate share of injuries and deaths. Because of this, fire officials frequently warn the public against charging e-scooters or e-bokes overnight or near exits.
Consumers can watch for common triggers of lithium-ion battery fires or explosions, including:
· Physical damage. Dropped, crushed, or water-damaged battery.
· Incompatible or damaged chargers, including aftermarket chargers not designed for the specific battery.
· Cheap, uncertified batteries. This is especially relevant for DIY e-bike conversion kits or replacement packs.
· Manufacturing defects. Battery cells and battery management systems are meant to prevent overcharging, but some have defects.
There are also some warning signs that a lithium-ion battery is going to catch fire or explode. There may be a smoke or chemical smell, or a hissing or popping sound. Evacuate immediately if any of these signs occur.
Also, consumers should independently verify whether an e-scooter or e-bike is certified through UL’s free Product iQ database.
Fake Safety Labels on E-Scooters and E-Bikes
Consumers are told to buy only UL-certified batteries and e-bikes for safety reasons. While that advice is sound, it assumes the certification mark on the product is real when it often isn’t.
In January 2026, Amazon and UL Solutions sued a group of Chinese manufacturers and an individual seller for putting counterfeit UL certification marks on e-scooters and e-bikes sold on Amazon. A permanent injunction was issued in July 2026. The case involved seven product listings and it’s a clear warning that counterfeit safety labels exist.
When it comes to UL safety standards, only a small fraction of e-bike manufacturers voluntarily certifies at all, and the reason is clear: There’s still no federal mandate requiring UL or other safety certifications, and the CPSC’s limited budget makes policing thousand of product types and low-cost imports difficult.
The key takeaway is that a UL Certified sticker may be a good sign, but it isn’t proof.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Lithium Battery Fires?
Unfortunately, many consumers encountered an unpleasant surprise when their homeowners or renters insurance didn’t cover damage caused by lithium-ion battery fires. Standard policies typically exclude “motorized land vehicles”, which is what insurers increasingly apply to e-bikes and e-scooters.
Even when a policy does cover these types of incidents, insurers can deny or reduce a claim if they determine an uncertified battery, aftermarket charge, or user error contributed to the fire.
This matters, even for those who never purchase an e-bike or e-scooter. If a neighbor down the hall or a roommate bought one and it caught fire, causing property damage or personal injuries, bystanders typically have no insurance policy that could apply.
What to do if You Own or are Injured in a Lithium-Ion Battery Fire
While the CPSC revived a 2025 proposal for a mandatory lithium-ion battery safety standard for micromobility products in June 2026, no federal rule has been finalized.
Until then, there are ways to limit risks and protect yourself, your family, and your home from dangerous battery fires:
- Safely store and charge lithium-ion battery products
- Only buy items with a UL certification
- Check product recalls in the CPSC database
- Pay attention to public warnings
- Ask your insurer what they cover and get it in writing
If possible, after a lithium battery fire occurs, take photos of the device, charging area, and damage. This type of physical evidence may be helpful for an insurance claim if your policy covers such damage and can be extremely beneficial if you decide to take legal action.
Finally, if an e-bike, e-scooter, or other product you own with a lithium-ion battery catches fire or explodes, consider speaking to a dangerous product attorney. Regardless of whether you owned the item, the manufacturer, importer, distributor, and/ or retailer may be held responsible under product liability law for defects or falsely advertising a product’s safety.
