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Nowadays, there are many alternate forms of transportation. However, many people love the convenience that e-bikes allow for. Not only can people with them get traditional exercise, but they can also use the electric feature to get around much more quickly. Still, there are downsides to using an e-bike, and fires are perhaps the most significant. This is precisely the case with e-bike batteries. 

Yes, e-bike battery fires are still a problem

There are many reasons why e-bikes are so popular. However, there is still cause for concern with e-bike batteries. According to Get Whizz, there were more than 60 fires related to these bikes in the first half of 2024 in New York alone. Sadly, the report says these fires led to five deaths. Notably, major cities like San Diego report similar findings.

So, what causes e-bike battery fires? Simply put, this happens with lithium-ion batteries through a process called thermal runaway. Tech Crunch says this process causes a “sharp increase of battery cell temperature and pressure.” Flammable gas is also released during this process. This can be caused by a few things, including overcharging the battery and preexisting damage. 

E-bike fires can also happen for other reasons. Most experts don’t recommend using aftermarket batteries. This type of battery could be poorly designed or simply not up to regulations. Additionally, using extension chords to charge e-bike batteries can be dangerous, as they could overheat and cause a fire. 

These bicycles can be safe regarding fires

Of course, everything in life has an inherent risk, including e-bikes. However, there are options on the market that are less prone to fires. For starters, some e-bikes use supercapacitors instead of lithium-ion batteries. However, these have drawbacks, including the fact that they lose their charge much quicker than regular batteries. 

Still, lithium batteries are the most common for e-bikes. This means it can be hard to avoid them if you want the pleasure of using this type of bicycle. Luckily, there are some ways to lessen the chance of fires, some of which have already been mentioned. First, not only should people not use aftermarket batteries, but it’s also important to use factory chargers. Also, follow the instructions related to charging and storing the battery.

People with e-bikes should also avoid opening the battery. In other words, if it ever needs repairs, find professionals to do them. 

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