News — 21 Oct 2026
EV Charging Fire Risks 2026
The rapid growth in electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters has created a new category of domestic and workplace fire risk that existing fire safety frameworks were not designed to address. Lithium battery fires behave differently to any other fire type — faster, hotter, and resistant to conventional suppression. Here is what the 2026 risk picture looks like.
Critical rule
Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter in a hallway or on any escape route. In a communal building, this constitutes obstruction of the means of escape — a criminal offence. In a house, it blocks the route used by every occupant to escape a fire that may start from the charging device itself.
EV charging fire risk by scenario
| Scenario | Risk | Key action |
|---|---|---|
| E-bike battery charged indoors overnight | Very High | Charge during waking hours only; on hard non-combustible surface away from escape route; fit smoke alarm in room |
| EV charged in attached garage overnight | High | Fit smoke alarm inside garage; ensure connecting door to house is FD30 fire door; consider smart charger with fault detection |
| E-scooter charged in flat hallway | Very High | Never charge in the only escape route; this constitutes an obstruction of means of escape — a criminal offence in communal buildings |
| EV charged in dedicated outdoor charge point | Low–Medium | Standard risk; use a certified OZEV-approved charger; check for damaged cable before each use |
| Third-party or unbranded charger/battery pack | Very High | Unbranded lithium cells have highest failure rates; use only manufacturer-specified chargers and cells |
Why 2026 is an inflection point
UK e-bike sales exceeded one million units in 2025, and e-scooter rentals and private ownership have expanded significantly. The average household now has a higher density of lithium cells than at any previous point — in phones, laptops, power tools, garden equipment, and increasingly in e-bikes and EVs. Fire services are reporting year-on-year increases in lithium battery fire incidents, with the highest growth in e-bike and e-scooter incidents in urban areas.
The flat and HMO problem
E-bikes stored in communal hallways of flats and HMOs represent a particularly acute risk. A fire starting in a hallway battery will immediately compromise the escape route for every occupant. Several fatal fires in the UK have been linked to e-bike batteries in communal areas of residential buildings. Many buildings have now banned lithium device storage and charging in communal areas — but enforcement remains inconsistent. For flat fire safety context, see our fire safety for flats guide.
Guidance for landlords and managing agents
Landlords and managing agents of communal residential buildings should: update their fire risk assessment to address lithium battery storage and charging; issue clear written guidance to tenants via the tenancy agreement and a building notice; consider designating a safe outdoor or secure outbuilding charging area; and enforce a prohibition on e-bike storage in communal hallways. For the broader charging policy framework for workplaces, see our fire safety in offices 2026 article.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ