UK fire services responded to 46% more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to research from business insurer QBE.
These fires, involving batteries in electric vehicles such as bikes, scooters, and cars, averaged nearly three incidents per day last year, up from under two daily the year before.
QBE is advocating for improved safety measures for lithium-ion batteries, emphasising that these fires differ significantly from typical fires, posing greater risks of injury and property damage.
In 2022, there were 630 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries, which increased to 921 in 2023, a 46% rise. Fires involving electric bikes surged 70%, from 158 to 270. Incidents involving electric scooters rose by 7%, from 117 to 125. Fires involving electric cars increased by 33%, from 89 to 118.
Electric buses or coaches saw a 22% increase, from 18 to 22, while fires involving electric trucks rose 300%, from 3 to 12.
Data collected by QBE through Freedom of Information requests to all UK fire services revealed that nearly a third (29%) of lithium-ion fires involved e-bikes, with 270 recorded fires in 2023, up from 158 in 2022. Fires involving e-scooters also increased, with 125 incidents in 2023 compared to 117 the previous year.
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The London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion fires last year with 378 incidents, followed by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service with 70, and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, which covers Bath and Bristol, with 57. On the other hand, Greater Manchester reported fewer lithium-ion fires (24) than West Sussex (25).
The data also indicated a 33% increase in fires involving electric cars, rising from 89 in 2022 to 118 in 2023. Despite this increase, the number of fires remains low compared to the one million electric cars on UK roads.
The UK, which has the highest number of electric buses in Europe, saw a 22% rise in fires involving e-buses last year, while fires involving e-trucks quadrupled. However, only seven fire services provided data on these types of incidents.
Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE Insurance, highlighted the growing concern over fires linked to lithium-ion batteries.
“They burn differently from normal fires, so people attempting to put them out run more risks of injury,” he said.
Simmonds emphasised that while QBE welcomes the adoption of electric vehicles, there is a need for more support for fire services to improve education on managing the new risk profile.
“The UK government needs to impose more stringent safety requirements to reduce fire frequency. Increasing awareness of proper maintenance, storage and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is paramount to protecting people and property,” Simmonds said.
Lithium-ion fires result from “thermal runaway,” where batteries irreversibly overheat due to impact damage, over-charging, or overheating. The powerful batteries in electric vehicles can lead to highly energetic, explosive fire incidents, causing significant damage and posing severe risks of injury or death.
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