In the trend of urban commuting, electric scooters have become the preferred mode of transportation for more and more people due to their lightweight and efficient advantages. However, the core component supporting their operation—the lithium battery—while offering the convenience of long battery life, also harbors potential safety hazards that cannot be ignored. In recent years, news of electric scooter battery fires has occurred occasionally, causing considerable concern among users. In fact, these risks are not unavoidable. By mastering the correct usage and maintenance methods, the potential hazards can be reduced at the source. Today, we will comprehensively analyze the causes of electric scooter battery fires and provide practical prevention techniques to ensure your every commut is worry-free.
Are commuting electric scooters environmentally friendly?
Lithium batteries do indeed play a positive role. Even when depleted, these batteries can be recharged multiple times and are easy to dispose of because they are safe for household appliances, electronic products, and long-range electric scooter，Like other modern inventions, these batteries can also cause fires if used improperly. This poses a safety hazard to the user and others, but there are some key techniques that can help prevent such incidents.
What causes electric scooter batteries to catch fire?
Electric scooters are primarily composed of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are a crucial component of all-terrain electric scooters, as they power the robust dual motors that assist in riding. Batteries can be recharged multiple times during their lifespan when low. There have been reports of electric scooters reaching speeds of up to 40 mph (approximately 64 km/h) catching fire due to their battery packs. What caused these fires?
Besides improper use of the electric scooter and its battery pack, prolonged parking of adult electric scooters can also cause fires. Remember, storing a large amount of energy in a confined space can cause this potential energy to be released suddenly and violently—that is, igniting a fire. Furthermore, lithium is a very reactive alkali metal and is highly flammable. The cathode is composed of lithium oxide, meaning there is a relatively high probability of oxygen being released as a byproduct. This phenomenon itself constitutes a serious fire risk. However, all-terrain electric scooter fires do not always occur, so don't assume you're facing a fire risk every time you ride.
The following factors can also cause e-scooter fires:
Exposure to Extreme Temperatures
Lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to temperature, a major contributing factor to fires. When an electric scooter is exposed to high temperatures for extended periods (such as in a sunny parking lot, a kitchen near a stove, or a closed car trunk), the battery temperature will rise continuously, triggering thermal runaway—the internal temperature of the battery rises sharply, producing a large amount of gas, causing the battery to expand, rupture, and ultimately spontaneously combust or catch fire. Similarly, prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures will also damage battery performance and reduce safety.
Charging Etiquette
Overcharging shortens battery life; some people mistakenly believe that battery life is too short, so this needs to be emphasized. Once a commuter scooter is fully charged, it's best to unplug it immediately. There is no such thing as extra charging or backup charging. While there are many ways to extend the battery life of an electric scooter, overcharging shortens battery life and accelerates power consumption. Long-range electric scooter batteries have preset minimum and maximum charge levels; exceeding these ranges may lead to overcharging or over-discharging. Discharging also damages battery life; using an incorrect charger will cause the battery to lose power during charging. Prolonged use of these improper charging methods can damage the battery and even cause a fire.
Tips for Preventing Electric Scooter Battery Fires
Now that we've identified the possible causes of electric scooter fires, everything becomes clearer. Adopting some good habits can effectively prevent fires on all-terrain electric scooters.
Avoid Overcharging
Electric scooters are equipped with high-quality batteries and built-in control systems. This feature ensures the battery is always in optimal condition. People often forget to charge their electric scooters or need to know when the battery is fully charged. Whatever the reason, overcharging is a mistake. Overcharging causes the potential energy inside the battery to be excited, making it unstable. This instability can cause the battery to swell, and in extreme cases, even spontaneously combust.
Don't Excessively Stress Your Scooter
Most off-road electric scooters are designed to be robust, but that doesn't mean you can ride them carelessly on rough terrain. Ensure your commuter scooter isn't subjected to excessive stress and tension, as this could damage delicate internal components and ultimately lead to a fire.
Regularly Inspect Your Battery and Electrical System
It's best if you take good care of your electric scooter. No one knows it better than you; therefore, check the battery and wiring as regularly as possible to identify and replace any parts that need replacing. Ideally, it's best to replace the battery regularly, ensuring it's in good condition each time. While the battery may appear perfect, always carefully inspect the internal components, as short circuits can cause a fire. Furthermore, when replacing an old battery, always purchase it from an authorized e-scooter store. This reduces the risk of buying a battery incompatible with your long-range e-scooter.
Avoid High Temperatures
Try not to park your scooter in direct sunlight. For example, never leave it in the kitchen with the stove on. While you may not be able to avoid riding on sunny days, you can minimize the time spent in direct sunlight.
How to Prevent E-Scooter Battery Fires?
There are several proactive steps you can take to prevent your off-road e-scooter battery from catching fire and causing significant loss of life or property. If you suspect your scooter is about to catch fire, take precautions and ensure that you and those around you are away from it.
The speed and extent of a fire's spread can be unpredictable, so protecting your life is paramount. If there is an opportunity to salvage valuables, do so. If you discover a fire, immediately call the fire department and move outside the building or away from the fire scene. If the fire is not intense and you have experience using a fire extinguisher, quickly obtain a BC dry powder fire extinguisher. Never attempt to use any form of water, as this may result in electric shock. If your e-scooter battery is not charging, please see how to repair it.
Conclusion: Fire is never a good thing, so please do everything you can to prevent it. E-scooters are a safe form of electric transportation for users, with very few fire incidents recorded. However, based on the information you have learned from this article, please take precautions to prevent your commuter scooter from catching fire.
