Fire safety concerns have prompted eBay to announce a ban on the private sale of e-bikes and e-bike batteries in the UK
The ban, which will be enforced from 31 October, will prohibit private individuals from listing e-bikes and e-bike batteries on the website. Only “eligible business sellers” will be allowed to list such products.
A spokesperson for eBay said that consumer safety was a “top priority” for the company: “To further improve consumer safety on our marketplace, from 31 October 2024, only eligible business sellers will be able to list e-bikes and e-bike batteries for sale in the UK.
“This policy change is in addition to the CE audits of listings offering e-bike batteries that we started last year, where we check that the products sellers are offering have valid CE documentation.”
Concerns over the potential risks of e-bike battery fires have been growing in the UK. In 2023 alone, the London Fire Brigade reported 155 e-bike fires, a 78% rise from the year before. Major insurer Aviva also noted a 7% increase in the number of customer claims for fires started by lithium-ion batteries. As reported by The Independent, the insurer used claims data from 2022 to 2023 and included “extensive fire damage” to a house after an e-bike with a second-hand battery had been left charging unattended.
Senior underwriting manager at Aviva, Hannah Davidson said: “For the majority of people, devices powered by lithium-ion batteries such as mobile phones, laptops, power tools, and e-bikes are safe to use. However, these batteries can present a significant fire risk if the battery fails, is faulty, or is charged incorrectly.
“Likewise, with consumers buying lithium-ion batteries and lithium-powered devices from second-hand retailers or sellers, there is increased potential for batteries to be damaged or faulty on purchase, for the battery in the device to be different to the original, or for the charger supplied with the device to be the incorrect charger.
“Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can devastate a property and are more difficult to extinguish. With this in mind, we urge customers to be aware of the fire risk from lithium-ion batteries and protect themselves and their properties from potentially devastating outcomes.”
Campaigning charity Electrical Safety First has welcomed eBay’s decision to restrict the sale of unverified batteries. A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are encouraged to see eBay take proactive steps in an attempt to reduce the risk of substandard batteries entering people’s homes, as they pose a serious risk of fire if they fail.
“Whilst this voluntary move is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to be legally obligated to take reasonable steps to ensure products sold via their sites are safe and we hope the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will mandate this.
“This legislation must also be used to prevent battery fires by introducing mandatory third-party certification for e-bikes, e-scooters, and their batteries to stop poor quality products entering the market. It should also introduce more robust standards for conversion kits and regulations for charging.”
As reported by Business Matters, while the ban will mean that only eligible businesses will be able to list e-bikes and e-bike batteries for sale on eBay, the company has yet to clarify what the “specific criteria for eligibility” will be.