Several e-bike battery makers and cycling associations in the UK are joining hands in a campaign to restore consumer confidence. Their initiative they call the ‘E-bike Positive Campaign’, aims to ‘boost safety knowledge, and combat misinformation’, according to Zag Daily News. This sounds like a good idea to us, provided restoring e-bike battery confidence includes promoting wise aftermarket purchasing decisions.
Why Restore E-Bike Battery Confidence Now?
UK cycling marketing company, Shift Active Media conducted a survey of a representative group of UK residents. Their findings suggest as many as 23% of respondents are wary of purchasing e-cycles.
Their thinking is apparently influenced by reports of e-cycle battery fires. A slightly larger 25% of survey respondents reported worrying about being nearby e-bike batteries when charging them.
This is a positive trend, insofar as the respondents in the sample were aware of the practical issues. However, we would be deeply concerned if this slowed a responsible move to decarbonized transport.
Besides, Not All e-Bike Batteries Are Suspect
A cycle association representative told Zag Daily News that, “The main cause of e-bike and battery fears is the increasing coverage – both in the media and online social channels – of fires linked to unsafe e-bike batteries and chargers. This has the overall effect of damaging the reputation of all e-bikes.
“In most cases, these unfortunate incidents are caused not by certified OEM e-bikes, but by uncertified, aftermarket batteries imported to the UK, purchased via online auction sites or unapproved retailers.” We agree that this should not endanger the UK market for reliable, sustainable electric transport.
More than 200 local bike shops have joined the UK ‘E-bike Positive Campaign’. They will help distribute ‘educational resources to consumers, media, bike shops and mechanics’. And also support the campaign for legislative and policy change to stamp out rogue battery suppliers.
This consumer push-back echoes similar concerns in South Korea, after an electric car fire in an apartment basement. We welcome these responsible signs from concerned consumers. The lead-acid batteries we make contain a water-based electrolyte, and this cannot catch fire as long as water does not burn.
More Information.
How to Extinguish Lithium Battery Fires
