Exploring the safety divide: E-Bikes, E-Scooters, and Electric Cars - What sets them apart?

When we look at the serious consequences that come from faulty or poorly maintained batteries in these kinds of a vehicles, it is understandable that we may become sceptical of other electric vehicles too, such as cars. However, there are key differences in the manufacturing process of these vehicles that makes malfunctions involving electric car batteries extremely unlikely.

The growing problem

According to the London Fire Brigade, fires involving the type of lithium batteries used in certain electric vehicles, mainly e-bikes and e-scooters, are increasing. The LFB has reported that they have been attending these kinds of fires once every 2 days so far in 2023. These fires often occur due to faulty batteries, or the misuse of the batteries when using or storing the vehicles.

In comparison, fires caused by batteries in electric cars are much rarer than in other electric vehicles, there were 54 electric car fires in London in 2019, according to the LFB. Electric cars have come a long way in recent years, and they are getting safer and safer the more the industry continues to grow and innovate.

These types of fires have been known to be particularly aggressive and problematic, with characteristics including rapid spread, risk of reignition and being difficult to extinguish.

E-bikes & E-scooters vs Electric Cars

While the two types of vehicles operate using lithium-ion batteries, this is the only major similarity between the two. Electric cars are heavily regulated to ensure their safety for all users.

Overcharging

It is highly recommended that when an e-bike or e-scooter reaches full charge, it should be disconnected from the charger to ensure that the vehicle does not overcharge, leading to overheating and potentially a fire.

However, electric cars are equipped with technology that means it is impossible for them to be overcharged in the same way. While leaving an electric car charging for longer than needed for a full charge can cause overheating, the only effect this will have is on the lifespan of the battery, so disconnecting once at full charge is still recommended.

Purchasing

You won’t have to look very far to find an electric car that is manufactured by a well-known and trusted brand in the automobile industry, however, this is often not the case for e-bikes and e-scooters.

According to reports, a total of 22,000 e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized in the past 2 years alone for not complying with marking, instruction and safety regulations, and both the batteries contained within the vehicles and chargers were found to carry a serious risk of fire and electric shock.

While there are reputable manufacturers for these kinds of vehicles, you’re more likely to run in to an unregulated product than if you were shopping for an electric car. Electric car batteries go through multiple tests for safety, including combustion, watertight, immersion and even crash tests.

Storage

In terms of storing an e-bike or e-scooter, it is recommended that they are stored inside, or at least storing the battery inside. This is due to the fact that if exposed to the elements for long periods of time, moisture can get in to the electrical components of the vehicle, causing both functionality and safety issues.

However, the electrical components of an electric car are very well protected and sealed, so this type of vehicle can be left outside without any issue and can even be charged during wet weather.

Can an electric car battery be used in an e-bike or e-scooter?

Although it is possible to use an electric car battery in these sorts of vehicles, doing so would not only be extremely impractical, but also incredibly dangerous.

There is not only a significant risk of using an incompatible battery for your vehicle causing electrical failures such as overloading, leading to shock or fire, but certain elements used in car batteries are potentially extremely hazardous when used in a vehicle that is not as robust as a car.

If an electric bike or electric scooter that has been equipped with a car battery is involved in an accident, the sulfuric acid used in car batteries could come in to contact with the skin, and therefore could lead to burns and other injuries.

Taking all of these factors in to consideration, it is highly unlikely that the kinds of incidents being reported involving electric bikes and electric scooters will occur with the use of electric cars. These vehicles are subjected to the same safety regulations as petrol and diesel cars, sometimes even more so, making the risk of a serious incident minimal.

Electric vehicle safety is incredibly important, and reports of malfunctions and various incidents can be concerning, but by highlighting the differences between these two types of battery powered vehicles, we can help alleviate any concerns and reassure you that electric cars are just as safe as their petrol and diesel counterparts.