Electric Scooter Battery Safety: Can They Explode And Catch Fire?

Have you heard stories of electric scooter batteries catching fire? Are you wondering if electric scooters are safe to ride or not? Well, as technology is increasing, we have more and more electronic devices to use in our daily lives. However, not all devices are always safe to use. So, what should you expect from electric scooters? 

An electric scooter battery explosion is rare, but there’s still a chance. You can avoid any issues by getting batteries from a well-known brand, charging and storing them properly, and avoiding physical damage which could cause a fire.

Want to know how you can protect your electric scooter and its batteries from any sort of damage leading to an explosion? If yes, then you are in the right place. Here you’ll learn everything about electric scooter batteries and preventive measures for a safe ride.

What Kinds of Batteries Do Electric Scooters Use?

Electric scooters use different types of batteries, but the three main types are:

• Lithium-ion batteries
• Nickel metal-hydride batteries
• Sealed lead-acid batteries

The most common among the above types are lithium-ion batteries. Let’s learn how these three batteries differ from each other.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries aren’t only common in electric scooters. These batteries are found in mobile phones, laptops, toys, and many other devices. Despite being more expensive than other battery types, they are widely used in electric scooters.

The reason lithium-ion batteries are widely-used is because they have a high energy density. This provides a longer range to the electric scooter. They store more energy than other batteries, while being lighter and smaller in size. 

They charge faster and retain the charge for a long time too. Moreover, the lifespan of a lithium-ion battery is greater when used in the right way. Memory effect (efficiency loss due to partial charging) isn’t an issue in lithium-ion batteries. 

There are several types of lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium titanate, and lithium polymer. Among these, lithium iron phosphate and lithium polymer are most-used for electric scooters. 

One disadvantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they can cause a fire. Therefore, using them safely is important.

Nickel Metal-Hydride Batteries

Nickel metal-hydride batteries (NiMH) are reasonably priced and widely used electric scooter batteries. They hold a lot of energy density, which makes them suitable for large electric devices. The best thing about NiMH batteries is that they have fewer active materials. This means the batteries are safe to use and don’t catch fire. 

The main reason they aren’t used as often is that they don’t work well in extreme temperatures. They take a lot of time to charge, though they can be charged over and over again with a lifespan of approximately 5 years. 

Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries

Sealed lead-acid batteries are not that common in electric scooters due to their bulky size. Their recharging process takes too long, so they aren’t ideal for an electric scooter. These batteries require some maintenance, such as refilling, which can be a hassle for people owning an electric scooter. 

One good thing about these batteries is they retain the charge for quite a long time. Due to their large size, they are quite cheap and great for people on a budget. 

What Can Cause an Electric Scooter Battery Fire?

Any sort of battery can catch fire due to various reasons. However, lithium-ion batteries are top of this list. It isn’t because they are not suitable for electric scooters – it’s because of faulty manufacture, incorrect usage, and poor build quality. 

Faulty Manufacturing

As the demand for lithium-ion batteries increases, we see different companies making these batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are relatively new in the market and their functioning and problems aren’t well understood.

So, people are willing to make more profit while selling cheap quality products. This ends in having badly-made batteries that wear out earlier than they should.

Moreover, if dust particles or any other material gets trapped in the battery during manufacture, it can react adversely with the battery while working.

This leads to unnecessary reactions causing a lot of heat, more than the battery can get rid of. That’s when the parts around the battery can catch fire and end up in an explosion.

Incorrect Usage

Charging the battery with the wrong charger could cause an internal short. If the charger is for a larger battery, the smaller battery will get overheated and shed active material inside. The material can catch fire, resulting in explosions.

Hitting the batteries constantly and damaging them can cause an explosion too. No matter how much the battery is sealed, too much physical damage can ruin the battery and cause a fire. 

Best Practices for Safe Battery Storage and Handling

If you use your electric scooter the right way and treat the batteries properly, the chances of an explosion are not that high. So, how can you be safe while handling electric scooter batteries? Let’s find out.

Proper Charging Practices

Charging your electric scooter with the right charger is the most important thing. Get a charger that is designed for the specific battery type in your electric scooter.

Moreover, overcharging is highly not recommended as it can damage the battery. Overcharging also affects the battery life and lessens it. 

Store Batteries Safely

Some batteries can explode at very high temperatures. Moreover, some batteries can’t bear a very low temperature and can be damaged. Therefore, store your batteries at a temperature ranging from 5-20°C.

This will not only save your electric scooter from an explosion but also protect its battery life. 

Also, don’t put them in water or near conductive materials. 

Trust the Right Vendor

Whether you are buying an electric scooter, a new battery, or a charger, don’t buy from an unreputable place. Always check the condition of the electric scooter or the battery before buying it. If the batteries show any sign of damage or improper casing, don’t buy them.

Moreover, if you are riding a rental e-scooter, make sure it’s in a decent state. Rental scooters could possibly have a bad battery from physical damage that other riders have caused.

Ride the Scooter Safely

Treat your scooter and batteries the right way and ride it safely. Don’t ride the scooter in a bumpy place that can give too many shocks to the internal parts and the battery.

Conclusion

Electric scooters are quite convenient in today’s world, and their demand is increasing every day. They are great if you use them the right way. The battery may be a point of failure, but if you take care of it properly there’s no reason to expect it to fail!

So, if you follow the preventive measures above and use the batteries the right way, you are good to go. Your protection matters the most, so don’t avoid the safety measures while riding or using any sort of electric device.