IT was reported in early September the Electrical Safety First charity commissioned the United Kingdom’s Building Research Establishment (BRE) fire safety research team to perform tests on lithium-ion battery fires to determine the dangers of batteries used in e-scooters and e-bikes.

The results revealed the explosive nature of lithium-ion batteries, resulting in what is known as “thermal runaway”.

Four people in the UK were killed in lithium-ion battery fires in the first three months of this year alone. In other cases, people were hospitalised or seriously injured, and property severely damaged.

The Consumers Association of Penang urges the government to regulate e-mobility products whose various serious safety issues, ranging from their manufacturing to their use, have been examined and identified by the BRE.

In Malaysia, micro-mobility vehicles are defined as “any vehicle propelled by electrical means, an internal-combustion engine, human power, or a combination of electrical means, an internal-combustion engine or human power, and having a maximum speed of 50km/h”.

In the broad range of micro-mobility vehicles, BRE only tested e-scooters and e-bikes as there was an alarming increase in the number of fatalities, injuries and fires involving these vehicles.

It is timely for the BRE study to be made public because it can serve as a lesson for Malaysia, especially as e-scooters and e-bikes are being increasingly used here, so preventive measures can be taken before lithium-ion battery fires become a problem.

Sirim Bhd and the Energy Commission need to address the design and lithium-ion battery safety for e-scooters and e-bikes in the country based on recommendations forwarded by the BRE.

Lithium-ion battery fires are known for their intensity, explosions, and production of toxic fumes. The fires can be caused by poor design and/or manufacturing defects that cause short circuits. The report also warned about the safety of do-it-yourself e-bike conversion kits available online.

The full report is available at the Electrical Safety First website.

We reiterate our call to the government to look into the design of e-scooters and e-bikes and other safety aspects that might endanger lives. – October 5, 2023.

* Mohideen Abdul Kader is Consumer Association of Penang president.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.