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Lithium-ion batteries power every e-bike and electric scooter. Here is what the FDNY and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission say about buying, charging, storing and recycling them, and what to do if one fails.
The short answer
E-bike battery fire safety comes down to four habits, according to the FDNY and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Buy a ride and battery with certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL. Charge only with the charger that came with it, plugged straight into a wall outlet, and stay with it while it charges. Store and charge it away from anything flammable and never where it blocks your way out. Stop using a battery that is damaged, hot, swollen, leaking or smells odd. If a battery catches fire, the FDNY says to leave the area, close the door and call 911.
Every safety point in this guide comes from an official source. We used the FDNY fire safety tips sheet “Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries” on nyc.gov, the FDNY Fire Safety Education bulletin for 2022 to 2023, the FDNY’s National Fire Prevention Week release of October 7, 2025, and the CPSC Micromobility Information Center page on e-bikes, electric scooters and hoverboards.
The FDNY’s sheet says fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased dramatically in New York City, and that these rechargeable batteries are found in e-bikes and scooters as well as cars, laptops, tablets and phones. The advice applies anywhere.
This is general information, not legal advice. Fire codes and building rules vary by city and building. Check your local fire department and your building’s rules, and always follow the maker’s manual for your ride.
The FDNY tells New Yorkers to always buy and use devices with certification from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Its bulletin names UL, ETL and CSA as symbols to look for, and explains that these labs test products to make sure they meet industry standards and are safe under normal use. The CPSC gives the same advice in its own words: buy devices and batteries made and tested for compliance with the applicable voluntary safety standards.
For rides, the standards to look for are UL 2272 for electric scooters and hoverboards, UL 2849 for e-bikes and UL 2271 for batteries. Our guide UL 2272, UL 2849 and UL 2271 explained shows how to read a listing and check a mark. In New York City, only rides with these certifications may be sold, leased or rented; see NYC e-bike laws.
| Model | Top speed (mph) | Range (miles) | Motor power (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segway E2 Pro Electric Scooter | 18.6 | 24.9 | 350 |
| Segway F2 Electric Scooter | 18 | 25 | 350 |
| Hiboy S2 Nova Electric Scooter | 19 | 20 | 420 |
| Phantom P14 Foldable Electric Bike | 15 | 20 | 350 |
| Gyroor C33 Folding Electric Bike | 18.6 | 28 | 450 |
| Hiboy EX6 Step-Thru Fat Tire Electric Bike | 20 | 75 | 500 |
Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.
The Gyroor C33 lists UL 2849 for the bike and UL 2271 for the battery, per Gyroor. The Segway E2 Pro and Hiboy S2 Nova list UL 2272, and the Hiboy EX6 and Phantom P14 list UL 2849.
Most of the FDNY’s tips are about charging. From its safety sheet and bulletin:
Follow the charging steps in your maker’s manual too; the FDNY lists that as an “always” rule. Our sibling guide how to charge an electric bike walks through a safe routine, and electric scooter charger guide covers matching chargers.
Where the ride sits matters as much as how it charges. The FDNY’s advice for storage:
Short on space? Our guide to electric scooter apartment storage has layout ideas. The FDNY sheet also notes that under the NYC Fire Code (Chapter 3, Section FC 309), storing and charging five or more batteries needs a dedicated space, which mostly affects businesses and delivery fleets.
The FDNY bulletin lists these warning signs:
If you notice any of them, stop charging and stop riding, and keep your distance. The FDNY says never to use damaged batteries, and the CPSC says not to use a battery pack modified or repaired by unqualified people, or one built from used or repurposed cells. Power the ride off, follow the maker’s manual, and send any battery, charger or wiring problem to a qualified technician. If the fault is covered, start a claim through our warranty page. Never modify a battery.
The FDNY’s instruction is short: leave the area, close the door, and call 911 immediately.
Its safety sheet explains why. Fire extinguishers do not work on lithium-ion battery fires, and water may not stop a battery from burning and spreading. Cells can explode and spread fire to other batteries and devices. A battery can keep making heat with no visible flame, and the FDNY says lithium-ion batteries are known to reignite without warning minutes, hours and even days after all visible fire has been put out.
The FDNY bulletin also says apartment and stairwell doors should be kept closed at other times too.
A replacement battery should be one the maker approves for your ride. The CPSC says to use only a replacement or spare battery that is tested and confirmed by the maker as suitable for your device. The FDNY’s bulletin says to use the original battery, adapter and cord, or a maker-recommended or lab-tested replacement. Our guide to replacing an electric scooter battery explains what to check, and the work itself belongs with a qualified technician.
Never put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. The CPSC says to take them to a battery recycler or a household hazardous waste collection site. The FDNY says placing batteries in the trash or recycling bin is illegal in New York City, and points to NYC battery recycling centers listed at nyc.gov/batteries. If a battery or ride is recalled, the CPSC says to follow the disposal steps in its recall notice, and you can report a battery problem to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.
For everyday battery habits, read electric bike battery care and electric scooter battery care. Riding in New York State? See our sibling guide to New York electric scooter laws.
Shopping for a listed ride? Browse our electric scooters and electric bikes. Orders ship free to the lower 48 states, and you can split the cost with Pay in 4 at 0% APR or monthly payments with Affirm, subject to approval.
This is general information, not legal advice. It reflects the FDNY and CPSC sources named above as of November 2026. Check your local fire department’s current guidance and your ride’s manual.
No. The FDNY says never to charge a battery overnight or leave an e-bike or electric scooter charging unattended, and the CPSC says not to charge while sleeping or away from home. Unplug once it is full.
The FDNY says no. Plug the charger straight into a wall outlet. Its bulletin explains that charging draws more current than most power strips and extension cords can handle.
The FDNY says never to use aftermarket or generic batteries or chargers, and the CPSC says to use only the charger that came with the device or one the maker recommends.
Leave the area, close the door and call 911 immediately, as the FDNY instructs. The FDNY says fire extinguishers do not work on lithium-ion battery fires, and batteries can reignite hours or days later.
Never in the trash or a recycling bin. The CPSC says to take it to a battery recycler or a household hazardous waste site. In New York City, the FDNY points to battery recycling centers at nyc.gov/batteries.
Pennsylvania treats a small e-bike like a bicycle, but its Vehicle Code has no category for electric scooters. Here is what PennDOT and DCNR say about e-bikes, scooters, mopeds and motor-driven cycles.
Connecticut rewrote its e-bike and scooter definitions on October 1, 2025. Here is what CTDOT and the state's official summary of Public Act 25-159 say about classes, helmets, trails, scooters and motor-driven cycles.
New York State sets the definitions, ages, speeds and road rules for electric scooters and e-bikes, and lets towns add their own. Here is what the Vehicle and Traffic Law and the NY DMV say, outside and inside the city.
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