Battery fires in e-scooters, e-bikes on rise amid lack of oversight

Flames erupt from an electric motorcycle parked in a ground-level parking lot of an apartment in Jeju City on July 27. Courtesy of a reader of the Hankook Ilbo

Concerns over the safety of electric scooters and e-bikes are growing as fires involving these mobility devices surge. Meanwhile, safety regulations and guidelines are inadequate, as authorities seemingly have emphasized their use over ensuring their safe operation.

On July 27, Park, a Jeju resident in his 40s, experienced a frightening incident involving his electric motorcycle. After parking it in his usual spot on the ground floor of his building, the bike suddenly caught fire and was completely destroyed.

Fortunately, the fire occurred in an outdoor parking lot, and quick action prevented any injuries. However, if the flames had spread to the adjacent parked electric car, the situation could have escalated into a major fire.

When Park contacted his insurance company, he was shocked to learn that his policy only covered accidents that occurred while the vehicle was in motion. Yet, according to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, 19 of the 24 electric vehicle fires this year (about 79 percent) occurred while the vehicles were parked or charging, with only five incidents happening while they were being driven.

While it may not be fair to directly compare electric vehicles with personal mobility devices, the reality is that current insurance policies do not adequately reflect the risks associated with battery-related fires.

Data from the National Fire Agency reveals a sharp rise in fires involving personal mobility devices. The number of battery fires, excluding those involving electric vehicles, surged from 51 in 2019 to 612 last year — a 12-fold increase in just four years.

Fires involving electric scooters more than doubled during this period, from 46 to 114, while e-bike fires saw a 21-fold increase from 2 to 42.

Electric motorcycle fires also occurred frequently, with 9 incidents reported last year alone. On the morning of Tuesday, a fire broke out in an e-bike that was charging in an apartment in Seongdong District, Seoul, requiring an emergency response from the fire department.

Earlier this month, a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle fire in the underground parking lot of a residential complex in Incheon caused extensive damage, burning 87 cars. The fire's origin was the vehicle's battery. Of the 24 electric vehicle fires that have occurred this year, more than half (13) were caused by battery issues, underscoring the susceptibility of these batteries as a fire risk.

Rental electric scooters parked on a street in Seoul on Aug. 5. Newsis

Inadequate safety measures increase fire risks

The growing number of fires involving mobility devices is particularly concerning because, unlike electric vehicles, there is a lack of management guidelines or compensation systems from either government agencies or manufacturers.

Park, who purchased his electric motorcycle with a subsidy from his local government, reported that he received no safety guidelines or information related to fire risks.

Experts warn that the unique characteristics of mobility devices — such as their smaller size and the external exposure of their batteries — make them particularly susceptible to fires.

Battery fires generally occur due to issues with the cells (the basic units of a battery made up of anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte).

The risk of a fire increases if the device is subjected to strong impacts, such as hitting speed bumps or driving through flooded roads.

Personal mobility devices, which experience more vibrations during operation than cars, often have less robust battery management systems (BMS) to prevent overcharging.

Kim Pil-soo, a professor of automotive engineering at Daelim University College, said, "Mobility devices have far fewer safety certifications compared to electric vehicles, making them more vulnerable to fires. Additionally, mobility devices are often left unattended in large numbers on streets, requiring greater caution. Authorities and manufacturers need to establish a precise management system tailored to these devices."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff at The Korea Times.