The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has shared its concerns over the lack of safety standards to counter the growing challenge of lithium-ion battery fires in the UK

In a position statement addressing the fire risks associated with emerging energy technologies, NFCC states that the growing use of lithium-ion batteries in consumer products is outpacing UK safety standards and has urged further action from the government to help tackle these risks.

Used to power Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), such as e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as everyday household items, lithium-ion battery fires are complex incidents that are also becoming more frequent. Potentially explosive, with the ability to spread rapidly, release toxic gases, and reignite even after being extinguished, lithium-ion battery fires can lead to “serious consequences” for public safety, firefighters, and the environment, NFCC has warned.

There have been at least six fatalities involving e-bikes and e-scooters since 2023, with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) reporting it had attended 179 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters that same year. In 2024, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) received reports of 211 such fires, nearly half of which occurred indoors. These statistics, NFCC said, highlighted gaps in public awareness around the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires and the need for stronger regulatory measures.

In its position statement published on 19 November 2025, titled ‘Fire Risks in Energy Technologies’, NFCC has called on the government to introduce mandatory product safety rules and third-party testing for PLEVs, regulate online marketplaces to ensure all lithium-ion battery products sold in the UK meet designated safety standards, update Building Regulations guidance to reflect fire risks from storing and charging energy technologies in homes and public spaces, and more.

The significant impact of these fires on fire and rescue services is also a key concern, NFCC added, with their growing frequency leading to increased operational and resource pressures. The NFCC has also called for assurances that fire and rescue service advice is considered and responded to when consulted about fire safety risks, and that national public awareness campaigns are created to help people use and dispose of lithium-ion battery-powered products safely.

NFCC Chair, Phil Garrigan, said: “Lithium-ion batteries are now everywhere in our homes – powering the phones in our pockets, the laptops on our desks, e-scooters, and cordless appliances we use every day. But these technologies must not come at the cost of public and firefighter safety.

“The fire risks linked to these familiar products are evolving far faster than the safety standards designed to protect us. When things go wrong with lithium-ion batteries, the consequences can be devastating, and tragically, lives have already been lost.

“Fire and rescue services are the first line of defence when these batteries fail, facing fires that are incredibly complex and dangerous to tackle. They need stronger protection, clear standards, and better tools from government and industry to continue safeguarding people and property as these batteries become ever more common in our homes.”

You can read the full position statement from NFCC here.