Shocking! 90% of electric bicycle fires are actually caused by these 4 details... Are you still taki

2026-01-07 10:32

Electric bicycles, with their convenience, have become an important choice for daily travel. However, recent frequent electric bicycle fires across the country pose a serious threat to people's lives and property. In-depth investigation into the causes of these fires is of paramount importance for fire prevention and promoting safe charging methods. Below, we will analyze the causes of electric bicycle fires in detail, using cases from various regions.


1. Battery failure is the most immediate concern.

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Among numerous fire cases, those caused by battery malfunctions account for a significant proportion.Since February 2025, a total of 22 fires involving electric bicycles have occurred in Beijing.Among them, battery malfunctions caused...12 casesOn February 9th, an electric bicycle caught fire in a village in Xiaotuanshan, Wuhua District, Kunming City. The cause of the fire was a battery malfunction (thermal runaway). The battery had been modified to have an increased capacity, using a 72V lithium battery that exceeded the standard. The bicycle was parked and not charging at the time of the fire. On February 27th, two electric bicycles caught fire in a residential area and on a certain road in Panlong District, Kunming City. The cause of the fire was also a battery malfunction (thermal runaway). The battery boxes of these vehicles had been modified twice, using 60V lithium batteries that exceeded the standard. One of the bicycles was in motion when it caught fire. Furthermore, on September 14th, 2024, a vehicle parked outdoors caught fire at the entrance of Unit 61-1, Baita Road, Dadong District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, resulting in 4 deaths and 3 injuries. The investigation revealed that the fire was caused by thermal runaway of a lithium battery, with high-temperature debris igniting the bicycle and nearby flammable materials.


This indicates that battery aging, malfunctions, and illegal modifications can all lead to battery thermal runaway, significantly increasing the risk of fire. Some users, in pursuit of longer battery life, have illegally modified their batteries, using substandard lithium batteries, which can easily cause danger.


2. Numerous potential hazards related to line faults

Electrical wiring faults in electric bicycles are also a common cause of fires. On February 12, 2025, at approximately 11 PM, an electric bicycle charging in the courtyard of the Yafu Taiyuan residential area in Shijingshan District caught fire. The cause was a faulty charger wiring, and the bicycle, battery, and charger were secondhand products purchased by the owner from a roadside shop. On February 17, at approximately 1 AM, an electric bicycle traveling near Yunhe West Street in Tongzhou District caught fire. The cause was a faulty electrical wiring below the front of the pedals. The owner was a Meituan delivery rider, the bicycle was secondhand, and the battery was substandard. On October 9, 2024, at 1:20 AM, an electric bicycle caught fire at the entrance of unit 1, Building 26, No. 200 Dekuan Road, Daquan District, Anqing City, Anhui Province, resulting in 2 deaths and 1 injury. The investigation revealed that the cause of the fire was a faulty wiring in the bicycle.

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It is evident that aging wiring, short circuits, and the use of substandard wires and chargers can all cause fires. Second-hand electric bicycles, in particular, may have worn or faulty parts, posing even greater safety hazards.


3. Illegal charging and parking exacerbate the problem.

Many fires are caused by users illegally charging and parking electric bicycles. On the night of March 13, 2024, a fire broke out in the stairwell of a residential building in Ezhou, Hubei Province, trapping several people inside. An on-site investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a resident, Yin, illegally parking his electric bicycle and illegally connecting an extension cord to charge it, which ignited surrounding flammable materials. On March 16, 2023, a fire broke out in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, caused by a resident illegally charging an electric bicycle at the entrance of his apartment building. One electric bicycle caught fire first, and the fire quickly spread to neighboring vehicles, igniting 17 vehicles within two minutes. Furthermore, a fire broke out in a residential building in Ruian, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, caused by a resident, Lou, illegally bringing an electric bicycle's lithium battery home to charge. Lou repeatedly ignored warnings from property management staff, ultimately leading to the fire, and was subsequently detained for eleven days.


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Electric bicycles should not be parked or charged in the public lobbies, evacuation corridors, stairwells, or homes of residential buildings. In the event of a fire, the high-temperature and toxic fumes will spread rapidly, seriously threatening people's lives.


4. Product quality varies.

Some unscrupulous merchants are selling counterfeit and substandard electric bicycles, posing a serious safety hazard. Beijing's Tongzhou police recently cracked down on a gang selling counterfeit electric bicycles, criminally detaining seven suspects and seizing 55 counterfeit electric bicycles at the scene. Mr. Sun, the victim, was riding an electric bicycle he purchased through an online trading platform to work when the vehicle suddenly started smoking, the battery exploded, and the fire spread rapidly. Testing revealed that the electric bicycles sold by the gang were substandard in size and generally exceeded 40 kilometers per hour, far exceeding the national standard limit of 25 kilometers per hour. To reduce costs, some companies use recycled batteries, passing them off as new or inferior products, which undoubtedly creates a fire hazard for electric bicycles.


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Given the frequent fires involving electric bicycles, lithium battery charging cabinets and battery swapping cabinets are undoubtedly powerful fire prevention tools. These charging cabinets and battery swapping cabinets not only possess…Features such as overcharge protection and short circuit protection allow for real-time monitoring of the charging status. Charging should be conducted in open outdoor spaces to reduce accident losses. It is also equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system.When abnormally high temperatures occur during charging, potentially causing a fire, the automatic fire extinguishing device will activate rapidly to control the fire immediately, effectively curbing its spread and nipping it in the bud.


Choosing reputable brands of electric bicycles and batteries, regularly inspecting and maintaining your vehicle, avoiding improper charging and parking, and utilizing the safety features of lithium battery charging cabinets and battery swapping stations can all help prevent electric bicycle fires. We hope everyone will prioritize electric bicycle safety and take personal responsibility to create a safe living environment together.


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