Consumer Reports: Ebike Fires

[gromike]

Well, here is an article about Lithium ion battery failure from a detailed scientific view point: https://electrek.co/2023/01/30/stanford-lithium-metal-batteries-fail/ .

I guess that at the moment we have an intrinsic problem with these batteries.

 

[Gordon71]

Well, here is an article about Lithium ion battery failure from a detailed scientific view point: https://electrek.co/2023/01/30/stanford-lithium-metal-batteries-fail/ .

I guess that at the moment we have an intrinsic problem with these batteries.

I'm not sure. I ride on average about 20 miles at a shot which usually depletes my battery a little less than 50%. After that it takes 5-6 hours to recharge. I don't think that is considered to be "fast" charging.

 

[gromike]

A high charge rate increases the risk of a catastrophic battery failure, but the following is the kernel of the article :

Just modest indentation, bending or twisting of the batteries can cause nanoscopic fissures in the materials to open and lithium to intrude into the solid electrolyte, causing it to short circuit.
Even dust or other impurities introduced in manufacturing can generate enough stress to cause failure.

That last sentence above kind of has me a bit worried about my ebike batteries. I assume the cells they are constructed with are not from a top tier manufacturer.

 

[Bill G]

E-bike fires made front page of NYT yesterday: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/realestate/e-bikes-fires-danger.html#commentsContainer (paywall). The extremely widespread use of e-bikes in NYC and its high population density make finding solutions difficult if not impossible, The anti e-bike folks are (rightfully) also seizing on the bad (i.e., illegal) riding habits, particularly, but not solely, of delivery folks. Reader comments are interesting and diverse. Tighter regulation/certification of batteries and plentiful safe charging locations might help, but implementation would be a dauntingly challenging...if not impossible.

 

[Asher]

E-bike fires made front page of NYT yesterday: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/realestate/e-bikes-fires-danger.html#commentsContainer (paywall). The extremely widespread use of e-bikes in NYC and its high population density make finding solutions difficult if not impossible, The anti e-bike folks are (rightfully) also seizing on the bad (i.e., illegal) riding habits, particularly, but not solely, of delivery folks. Reader comments are interesting and diverse. Tighter regulation/certification of batteries and plentiful safe charging locations might help, but implementation would be a dauntingly challenging...if not impossible.

New York has problems because of a flood of crappy ebikes and batteries. Comments like yours and even the general framing of the article obscure this or imply the opposite, as if the problem were inherent to electrifying bicycles, or really, any battery powered device.

 

[Tom@WashDC]

E-bike fires made front page of NYT yesterday: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/realestate/e-bikes-fires-danger.html#commentsContainer (paywall). The extremely widespread use of e-bikes in NYC and its high population density make finding solutions difficult if not impossible, The anti e-bike folks are (rightfully) also seizing on the bad (i.e., illegal) riding habits, particularly, but not solely, of delivery folks. Reader comments are interesting and diverse. Tighter regulation/certification of batteries and plentiful safe charging locations might help, but implementation would be a dauntingly challenging...if not impossible.

Asher is correct. I was in NY City a few weeks ago. Most of the delivery ebikes, batteries, wiring, and ebike "store/charging stations" that saw looked really sketchy. Ebike delivery drivers, and the stores servicing them operate on slim margins, and there's a lot of DIY. Human nature being what it is, I presume that they cut corners when it comes to purchasing, repairing, and charging batteries. There's a big market in "used" batteries in that industry.

 

[m@Robertson]

E-bike fires made front page of NYT yesterday: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/realestate/e-bikes-fires-danger.html#commentsContainer.

New York is effectively a unique situation. Your comments make it seem as if these issues belong to ebikes in general, which they do not. As far as bad riding habits go, this too is a slanted, biased take.

 

[Mike_V]

SQUATTERS are only in New York City, and not next door to US, OUR family right?
"Junkies, migrant squatters turn NYC block into a crime-ridden nightmare, starting blaze with stolen e-bikes that torched 2 nearby homes"
NYPOST
Moshe Kabasso with Luly Kabasso on the front porch of the home they were forced to leave after a blaze started at a squatter home next door.

 

[harryS]

Well, you want to go to the NY Post for the story.

Exclusive | Junkies, migrant squatters turn NYC block into a crime-ridden nightmare, starting blaze with stolen e-bikes that torched 2 nearby homes

The worst of New York City’s worlds have collided on one Brooklyn block – where junkie squatters rented out an abandoned home to migrants, whose dozens of apparently stolen ebikes and scooter…

nypost.com

Scooters with big batteries in a pile with ebikes. Idiots probably plugging in random chargers and jumpering wires when nothing works.

 

[m@Robertson]

Not really an ebike story at all.

 

[Wallykl]

I’m reading this string today, 3 yrs after OP started it. Today I read locally of the 3rd home structure burning in my area since January. And yes, this one too officially blamed on e-bike battery charging. I see further legalities coming, harsher penalties coming, and tougher insurance requirements if you own/charge a battery.

 

[kevinmccune]

I have never had a fire from any of the rechargeable things I have owned( dozens upon dozens) did notice the nicad batteries got very hot when worn out,just saying if you leave stuff plugged in for months stuff is bound to fail after awhile.

 

[6zfshdb]

I’m reading this string today, 3 yrs after OP started it. Today I read locally of the 3rd home structure burning in my area since January. And yes, this one too officially blamed on e-bike battery charging. I see further legalities coming, harsher penalties coming, and tougher insurance requirements if you own/charge a battery.

Unfortunately, you can't regulate or prosecute idiocy, which is the major cause of these fires.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Unfortunately, you can't regulate or prosecute idiocy, which is the major cause of these fires.

And ignorance.... I ride with a fellow electrician and he has zero knowledge of battery safety and best practices. And quite frankly, he doesn't even seem interested which speaks to your comment. Same went for a fireman that I sold my original battery to.. but that was a few years ago.
Also the term ebike seems to be used now to cover the entire range of e-micromobilty out there

 

[Chargeride]

Hopefully within 5 years we will have lighter and inherently safe rechargeable batteries, then all thats left is a workeable charging structure and we can leave ICE to history for cars.