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Post by ChrisM on Apr 28, 2024 14:44:06 GMT
Dangerous things, these e-bikes. Seems they like to spontaneously combust and if it happens in an area away from water or fire brigade access, the fire can spread and .... well who knows what may burn down? Try not to park close to any  |
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Post by Alex on Apr 29, 2024 5:21:37 GMT
The stats from London Fire Brigade are frightening when it comes to E bikes. They've had a massive number of call outs to house fires started by E bikes, most worryingly in blocks of flats where users have been charging them indoors, often in their hallway which is their only means of escape. You don't need me to spell out the dire consequences of having your only exit from a 10th floor flat blocked by a blazing lithium battery fire (blazing really is the word because these things go up like a fireworks factory).
The biggest risk is when they're charging as this causes the battery's to overheat and the situation isn't being helped by their increased in popularity with takeaway delivery riders who buy imported ones that are illegally modified to have more power and don't meet British Standards.
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Post by alf on Apr 30, 2024 9:11:29 GMT
I work on hard facts not conjecture, and would love to see some stats on this, where are they? Statistics tell us that BEV cars (of the quality allowed to be imported into the UK anyway) are less likely to catch fire than ICE vehicles. We'll see if that changes with the mass influx of Chinese models from newer OEM's. But it does feel like electric scooters, hoverboards and so on are a big risk, and if they are manufactured down to a price point without safety much in mind, its not a surprise. And let's be honest about British Standards - no one has time to check everything on sale, I assume people self-certify (and lie).
I wonder if they have LiPo batteries, not Lion? Both can catch fire, but LiPo (which can charge and discharge faster, and be made into more shapes, often flat plates like a sheet of lead) are much much more sketchy. I have some for RC cars (plus they will be in drones and the like) and I regualrly check them over to see if they are expanding, plus I only charge them in a charge bag on a hard surface. They lack electronics to switch off the charge (a Lion cell like an 18650 cell in a flashlight has a circuit which is supposed to prevent over charging) - the charge is controlled by the charger. Leave them on charge for too long, with a charger that fails to sense the voltage and cut off, and the result is explosive. Badly made or damaged ones can ignite even on the correct charge........
For me, powerful ebikes and scooters are a product we are not ready to deal with - in a road safety sense (they sure as hell should not be on pavements/footpaths), or for charging.... Properly manufactured, ridden, and looked after, they have a role in decarbonising transport and aiding personal mobility. But it seems much of the stuff on the market is sub par in quality, and the people most often riding them are yoofs (not saving on a higher carbon journey) with no concept of collective safety....
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Post by Boxer6 on Apr 30, 2024 12:36:10 GMT
I work on hard facts not conjecture, and would love to see some stats on this, where are they? Statistics tell us that BEV cars (of the quality allowed to be imported into the UK anyway) are less likely to catch fire than ICE vehicles. We'll see if that changes with the mass influx of Chinese models from newer OEM's. But it does feel like electric scooters, hoverboards and so on are a big risk, and if they are manufactured down to a price point without safety much in mind, its not a surprise. And let's be honest about British Standards - no one has time to check everything on sale, I assume people self-certify (and lie). I wonder if they have LiPo batteries, not Lion? Both can catch fire, but LiPo (which can charge and discharge faster, and be made into more shapes, often flat plates like a sheet of lead) are much much more sketchy. I have some for RC cars (plus they will be in drones and the like) and I regualrly check them over to see if they are expanding, plus I only charge them in a charge bag on a hard surface. They lack electronics to switch off the charge (a Lion cell like an 18650 cell in a flashlight has a circuit which is supposed to prevent over charging) - the charge is controlled by the charger. Leave them on charge for too long, with a charger that fails to sense the voltage and cut off, and the result is explosive. Badly made or damaged ones can ignite even on the correct charge........ For me, powerful ebikes and scooters are a product we are not ready to deal with - in a road safety sense (they sure as hell should not be on pavements/footpaths), or for charging.... Properly manufactured, ridden, and looked after, they have a role in decarbonising transport and aiding personal mobility. But it seems much of the stuff on the market is sub par in quality, and the people most often riding them are yoofs (not saving on a higher carbon journey) with no concept of collective safety.... This. A few years ago I nearly lost my garage because of a LiPo fire! Brand new battery, new-ish charger, put o to charge sitting underneath a nearly completed model plane. I was pottering away in and around the garage when I heard a loud fizzing sound, and looked round to see sparks shooting everywhere and thick clouds of smoke too! Fortunately, I was able to get the battery and charger onto a metal tray and thrown out on to the driveway, but it was a close-run thing. Lost the model, and the charger (£600 worth, gone in 30 seconds!) but lucky not to lose the garage and all the other model-related stuff, tools etc in it! Never, EVER leave these things unattended when charging. Not even for a few seconds. |
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Post by johnc on Apr 30, 2024 13:14:52 GMT
Does the same go for the batteries used in all these cordless things we now have for around the home and garden: vacuums, drills, strimmers, lawn mower, hedge cutter etc etc? I think most of them are Lion but I often put them on charge and leave them.
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Post by alf on Apr 30, 2024 13:51:26 GMT
They ought to be Lion. We've all been using decent quality Lion batteries for years - I'm sure the odd toothbrush or laptop has caught fire, but its not common, is it? The regularity with which these cheap scooters/hoverboards/ebikes go up, makes me think they are either using LiPo, or some ludicrously low quality unsensored Lion batteries. LiPo, scaled up from RC car kit, is most likely. The performance you get from even cheap Lipo batteries and brushless motors has to be seen to be believed.
Any small drones you buy, or RC models generally, will likely have LiPo so careful charging them! Especially if cheap. Never do it when you are not about.
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Post by Alex on May 1, 2024 18:00:50 GMT
I think the added issue with e bikes and scooters is that they often get used and abused and if the batteries get damaged eg. If the bike falls over when propped against a garden wall during a delivery, the battery is more likely to be damaged. Also consider the energy required to move a person and their takeaway on a bike compared to the energy required to power an RC car or sonic toothbrush and inevitably the batteries will be much more energy dense and powerful so I would imagine produce more heat. You're also more likely to charge your bike or scooter by your front door than you would one of these other smaller electronics, which adds to the issue of fires in these items trapping people in their homes.
I agree we shouldn't pander to conjecture but there is an issue with these cheaper ebikes and scooters and so I personally suggest my customers dont have them in their buildings, especially not charging. But there's no legislation to say they can't so it's up to them if they want to have that risk.
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Post by ChrisM on May 4, 2024 16:00:02 GMT
I travelled by SWR train today, first time in many months (probably over a year) and saw this on display at my local station:  |
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