At least 38 were injured in a Manhattan apartment building blaze that was caused by a lithium-ion battery

[jimslade]

“More than 100 fires were caused by e-bikes in 2021, resulting in 79 injuries and four deaths, according to the FDNY.”

"We also want to emphasize the rising cause of fires from e-bikes and to ensure that families are making sure that they are following the safest possible way to use these, including not charging them overnight when they are asleep, including making sure they are certified and that the batteries that they are using are not damaged in any way."

At least 38 were injured in a Manhattan apartment building blaze that was caused by a lithium-ion battery, officials said | CNN

At least 38 people were injured in a Manhattan apartment building fire Saturday morning, which authorities believe was caused by a lithium-ion battery connected to a micromobility device.

www.cnn.com

 

[2WheelsNot4]

I think we'll find in the vast majority of these cases that the bike or scooter involved was a super cheap import, probably from China.
Dont expect it to be related to a £/$5-7K Emtb.

 

[Ahmed_A]

I just got an e-bike recently but have a lot of experience dealing with lithium batteries from other hobbies. I would never charge them unattended.

 

[Endoguru]

I’d be willing to bet that none of them were the type of bikes people on this forum ride. I doubt you are buying a higher end ebike to ride around New York City. This is one of the big problems with ebikes. High quality Class 1 bikes are considered the same as Class 2 and 3 bikes (which actually are a mini motorcycle or moped).

 

[Bobj183]

There was a thread recently complaining about the price of Bosch chargers citing cheaper alternatives. This is one good reason to avoid cheap chargers. There has been a spate of serious fires where cheap chargers were identified as the cause.

Batteries and chargers - Fire safety at home

Did you know that we attend on average 24 fires each week that have been started by chargers, batteries and cables? Here's how to buy and use items with lithium batteries safely...

www.london-fire.gov.uk

 

[Stihldog]

This reminds me of the “Hover-Boards” that spontaneously bursted into flames. I suspect that some of these were cheaply made models also.

 

[boBE]

One of the reports noted that some of the battery packs were "rebuilt" and some chargers were not made for the specific bike/device. Even high-end and approved batteries/chargers are not always safe: the recent Chevy Bolt (and other EVs) warning to owners not to park the car in the garage nor too close to the house!

If some of the new battery chemistries work out we may see some improvement. For now I would be ok with accepting the lower energy rating of LiFePo batteries for the improved safety.

 

[MountainBoy]

While it's true that "cheap" battery products are often the culprit, it's not so much the "cheap" manufacture that is the most common problem, it's lack of expertise in designing the Battery Management System (BMS). Companies without access to skilled electrical engineers will often design and market dangerous products.

The other problem is the private individual who thinks he/she can just cobble something together from parts purchased on-line. I mean, how hard can it be, right? The red wire goes to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative, right?

On the other hand, systems designed by those skilled in the applicable technology, with adequate resources for testing and development, can design li-ion devices that are safer than gas power in all respects.

 

[MountainBoy]

Chinas QC is amazing.

Actually, China can have amazing QC, but China is a big country and obviously the QC of a particular company is unique to that company.

 

[Binhill1]

I just got an e-bike recently but have a lot of experience dealing with lithium batteries from other hobbies. I would never charge them unattended.

“More than 100 fires were caused by e-bikes in 2021, resulting in 79 injuries and four deaths, according to the FDNY.”

"We also want to emphasize the rising cause of fires from e-bikes and to ensure that families are making sure that they are following the safest possible way to use these, including not charging them overnight when they are asleep, including making sure they are certified and that the batteries that they are using are not damaged in any way."

At least 38 were injured in a Manhattan apartment building blaze that was caused by a lithium-ion battery, officials said | CNN

At least 38 people were injured in a Manhattan apartment building fire Saturday morning, which authorities believe was caused by a lithium-ion battery connected to a micromobility device.

www.cnn.com

Xmas lights , washing machines laptops all have burned houses and hotels in the past. .

 

[Mikerb]

When e bikes are stolen the thief rarely gets to steal its original charger so I wonder how many of these fires actually involve stolen bikes.

 

[Growmac]

Chinas QC is amazing.

Can be, or it can be shockingly bad. All depends on what you spec, how much you check, and how much you pay.

 

[Binhill1]

Uk QC can be horrendous as well , I remember getting a Rocky Mountain frame and the headset had been twatted . But when or where was it damaged we will never know.

 

[MountainBoy]

When e bikes are stolen the thief rarely gets to steal its original charger so I wonder how many of these fires actually involve stolen bikes.

The Battery Management System (BMS) is part of the battery. While I suppose a third-party charger could cause a serious problem, I would think the more likely result would be that it simply wouldn't work.

 

[Dax]

Uk QC can be horrendous as well , I remember getting a Rocky Mountain frame and the headset had been twatted . But when or where was it damaged we will never know.

Fairly sure Rocky Mountain aren’t a UK company. The clue is in the name.

 

[Nicho]

When e bikes are stolen the thief rarely gets to steal its original charger so I wonder how many of these fires actually involve stolen bikes.

Hopefully all of them.......................it serves them right for stealing the bike!

 

[Binhill1]

Fairly sure Rocky Mountain aren’t a UK company. The clue is in the name.

Yes I agree but I would like to think the bike gets a good check from the dealer who sells it in the end before passing on to a customer ,wherever it comes from .

 

[Dax]

Yes I agree but I would like to think the bike gets a good check from the dealer who sells it in the end before passing on to a customer ,wherever it comes from .

Ahh, so what you meant is that some UK bike shops have shitty pre-delivery inspection?

 

[Binhill1]

Ahh, so what you meant is that some UK bike shops have shitty pre-delivery inspection?

Yes but probably not only bike shops . I've had slightly damaged goods lots of times depending what it is I would just keep it . I had a custom paint job on a motorbike with a shadow if you looked from a certain angle they said no way they missed that but they did . Sad but its a way of life nowadays .

 

[BeBiker]

I charge my ebikes unattended while I also charge the frontlight, helmet light, chinese backlights, Garmin,...
Guess what the journalist will mention when it all burns.

 

[Binhill1]

I charge my ebikes unattended while I also charge the frontlight, helmet light, chinese backlights, Garmin,...
Guess what the journalist will mention when it all burn

Depending what is defined as unattended. I wouldn't go out and leave it on but it could be in the bedroom and I'm down stairs so still unattended . Not sure if wife would appreciate it in the living room of an evening.