Cambridge City Council has passed unanimously a Labour-led motion aimed at raising awareness of the risks of lithium-ion batteries.

The National Fire Chiefs Council has said that “fires involving lithium-ion batteries are a disaster waiting to happen”.

Cambridge has seen several fires in recent years relating to lithium-ion batteries, including last year’s tragic fire at Sackville Close that killed a woman and two children. In just the first seven months of this year, there were seven bin lorry fires in Cambridge and the surrounding area thought to be caused by improperly disposed batteries.

Proposing the motion, Cllr Cameron Holloway Executive Councillor for Community Safety, Homelessness and Wellbeing (Newnham) opened:

“Lithium-ion batteries play an important part in many of our lives – they power some very beneficial tools, like electric bikes, laptops, and phones. But they also come with a risk, and this is a growing risk, that we have to take very seriously.”

“We as a Council are working hard on this issue. We have previously written to the Government to advocate for improved legislation, safety guidelines and a public awareness campaign relating to the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters. And we have been proactive in attempting to raise awareness among Cambridge residents of these risks, and how to mitigate them. But there is always more we can and should be doing.”

The motion aims to catalyse action within the Council’s own work, to raise awareness among Cambridge residents of the risks of lithium-ion batteries, and to push for national action, through The Safety of Electric-Powered Micromobility Vehicles and Lithium Batteries Bill.

The Safety of Electric-Powered Micromobility Vehicles and Lithium Batteries Bill, currently in the House of Lords, focuses on three main areas: a mandatory third-party assessment for all e-bikes, e-scooters and their lithium-ion batteries, before they are made available for sale; regulations ensuring lithium-ion batteries are disposed of safely; and safe standards for conversion kits and charging systems.

Areas of specific and rapidly increasing risk relate to e-scooters and e-bikes, and to fires in bin lorries and at waste sites. Across the country, the number of battery fires caused by e-scooters and e-bikes has increased fourfold since 2020, and battery fires in waste disposal rose 71% in the last year.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Beth Gardiner-Smith (Romsey) who stated:

“The point of this motion is to convey a very clear public safety message.”

“We are seeing a big expansion of e-bikes, and that’s a good thing, because in general they are safe, but the e-bike and e-scooter batteries, converter kits and universal chargers that can be found on online marketplaces can sometimes be very dangerous.”

The motion emphasised the following advice to residents:

• Always use manufacturer approved chargers and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging, storage and maintenance

• Charge batteries while awake and at home

• Do not overcharge batteries

• Store e-bikes and e-scooters in a safe, cool place with a closed door and a smoke alarm if possible

• Buy e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable dealers, and check they meet British or European standards. Remember that private e-scooters are currently illegal to ride on public roads and footpaths

• Check batteries for signs of damage and replace if damaged

• Do not dispose of batteries in household waste or normal recycling

• Do not attempt to extinguish a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery but get out, stay out, and phone 999.

Further information on local battery recycling can be found here.