Who will it serve?
- Landlords/Agencies/Employers (employees charging batteries on site) - protect life and property
- Fire brigade services / Trading Standards - useful data
- Individuals - safety and peace of mind
- Deliveroo, Just Eat etc - rider safety
Lithium batteries are safe if made well to the appropriate standards - our report can give you the peace of mind that your battery meets safety standards and does not represent a hazard.
Level 1: £40
External Visual - labels and CE/UKCA, case integrity, contacts
Charge Temperature - battery case surface max temperature reached
Charge resistance
Cell Balance
Compatibility of Charger - polarity, voltage, chemistry
Level 2 as 1+:
Internal Visual if possible - damage, moisture, rust or discolouration, cell brand & count, BMS, pictures
Discharge test - capacity, discharge performance curve, graph pdf supplied and temperature reading
Level 3 as 2+:
Certificate Sourcing - desk research to find out which safety or standards test certificates have been awarded to the battery and charger
Are all lithium bike and scooter batteries dangerous?
No most are professionally made and carefully assembled in meticulous factories and meet all of the required safety standards.
However more low quality batteries are on sale sourced for no other benchmark than price and are being sold by sellers with little to no knowledge of the products.
How can I tell if my lithium battery is safe or dangerous?
- Heat: It’s normal for batteries to generate some heat when charging or in use. However if your device’s battery feels extremely hot to the touch, there’s chance it’s defective and may start a fire
- Bulging: A battery bulging or swelling out of shape is a common sign of it failing. If your battery looks swollen, you should stop using it immediately. Similar signs include any type of lump or leaking from the device
- Noise: Failing lithium batteries have also been reported to make hissing or cracking sounds
- Smell: If you notice a strong or unusual smell coming from the battery, this could also be a sign of it failing
- Performance: A failure to fully charge or longer charge times can be a sign that your battery is failing
- Smoke: If your battery or device is smoking, a fire has already started - raise the alarm, call 999 and ask for the fire brigade
What you should do if your lithium battery is a fire risk
If your battery shows any of these signs of failing, Immediately turn off the device and unplug it from the power source. Call the device manufacturer or retailer for further instructions. If the device starts smoking or catches fire, raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999 immediately. If you’ve spotted the warning signs, make sure you report your faulty battery to your local Trading Standards office.
Disposing of a lithium battery
Lithium batteries should not be placed in the same bins as your regular rubbish or recycling. If they overheat, they may cause it to catch fire. Instead check your local authority's website for the safe way to dispose of lithium batteries in your area or if possible return them to your retailer.