Fires involving electric bikes and scooters are on the rise in the Czech Republic. Six years ago, the fire brigade was called out to four such cases per year, but last year there were already 125. According to experts, the greatest danger arises during charging.
Fires involving electric vehicles are increasing. While the fire service in the Czech Republic dealt with only a few such incidents six years ago, there were 125 last year, according to a report by the news channel ČT24. Electric scooters were the most common type involved.
Extinguishing electric scooters is problematic in itself, as scooter batteries consist of sub-cells that can burn separately. A common cause of ignition is improper charging, for example, with a non-original adapter. However, mechanical damage or manufacturing defects can also trigger fires.
As soon as the device no longer behaves as expected — for example, by producing smoke or cracks — it is advisable to disconnect it from the power supply during charging and remove it from the area where you are.
How can problems be recognised?
According to experts, there are several signs of a problem with the batteries. One of the most common is excessive heating. It is normal for batteries to generate some heat when charging or during use. However, if they become extremely hot to the touch, they may be faulty and could cause a fire.
A bulge or change in shape of the battery is a typical sign of a defect. If it appears swollen, it should be replaced immediately.
Defective lithium batteries sometimes emit unusual noises, usually a hissing or popping sound. A strong odour emanating from the battery can also indicate a problem. If the battery or device is smoking, this means it has already begun to burn.
