First reported 29 Aug 2023•Latest report 5 Aug 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in standards, regulation, conformity controls or other sale controls governing lithium-ion batteries and chargers for e-bikes and e-bike conversion kits, including online sales, where the deficiency can permit unsafe quality or incompatible battery-and-charger combinations.
Not included
Excludes battery design, construction or manufacturing defects where no deficient sale or market-control process is identified.
Excludes failures involving battery storage, transport, use, charging or fire response after sale when the sale-control process itself is not deficient.
Excludes generic lithium-ion battery hazards and public-awareness concerns without a failure in controls governing sale.
Excludes product-control concerns involving unrelated batteries, chargers or electrical products.
Reports
4
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2023–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
12
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Office for Product Safety and Standards4
Department for Transport1
West of England Combined Authority1
Product safety regulator4
Combined authority1
Ministerial department1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
West Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Lack of regulation of lithium-ion battery sales, especially e-bike conversion batteries sold through online marketplaces
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Hold major online marketplaces to account for their e-bike product-safety responsibilities, including implementation of statutory battery-safety guidelines.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 5 August 2025.
Action
Prohibit UK sale and supply of two dangerous UPP battery models through withdrawal notices served on marketplaces, manufacturers and other sellers.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 5 August 2025.
Avon
Concerns raised1
Lack of British or European standards controlling lithium-ion e-bike batteries and chargers sold in the UK
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Conduct commissioned research into e-bike and e-scooter hazards, compatibility issues and relevant standards, pending independent peer review and publication.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 June 2024.
Action
Consider relevant recommendations from the commissioned research on potential changes to voluntary product standards.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 June 2024.
Action
Commission development of a publicly available specification covering e-bikes, e-scooters, batteries, conversion kits and related products.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 June 2024.
Action
Designate the BS EN 15194 e-bike standard, subject to stated restrictions, to provide a presumption of legal conformity.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 June 2024.
Action
Continue participating in the national e-scooter trial.
Stated by West of England Combined AuthorityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 June 2024.
Action
Conduct research on developing future e-scooter regulations, including battery safety, and publish its findings.
Stated by Department for TransportStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 June 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Creation of new voluntary standards is a matter for the British Standards Institution, while OPSS will consider relevant research recommendations.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Specific action on lithium-ion battery safety does not lie within the Combined Authority’s strategic functions.
Stated by West of England Combined AuthorityOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
National government must address lithium-ion battery safety concerns through legislation and regulation in the first instance.
Stated by West of England Combined AuthorityRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
The Office for Product Safety and Standards is best placed to address consumer-product safety, enforcement and standards matters.
Stated by Department for TransportRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Inner North London
Concerns raised2
Failure to supply chargers with lithium-ion batteries for e-bike conversion kits
Insufficient controls governing the UK sale of lithium-ion batteries and chargers for electric powered personal vehicles and e-bike conversion kits
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Assess compliance among 60 UK-based businesses supplying e-bikes, e-scooters or conversion kits.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 January 2024.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Lack of standards controlling the sale of lithium ion e-bike batteries and chargers for safe charging quality
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Prioritise identifying and testing e-bikes, conversion kits and chargers, removing unsafe products from the market through enforcement.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 September 2023.
Action
Publish the updated EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 standard for electrically power-assisted bicycles for designation.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 September 2023.
Action
Review relevant voluntary e-bike safety standards to identify where additional or updated standards would support legal safety requirements.
Stated by Office for Product Safety and StandardsStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 September 2023.
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Includes failures in standards, regulation, conformity controls or other sale controls governing lithium-ion batteries and chargers for e-bikes and e-bike conversion kits, including online sales, where the deficiency can permit unsafe quality or incompatible battery-and-charger combinations.
