QBE’s plea as lithium-ion battery fires surge by 93%

UK fire brigades are now tackling at least three lithium-ion battery fires a day, according to new figures.

Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in devices such as laptops, smartphones, e-bikes and electric vehicles (EVs), have been identified as a potential risk due to their thermal instability.

Data published by QBE today (27 May 2025) showed that there were 1,330 blazes linked to such batteries during 2024, a 93% surge from 2022.

E-bikes are a major contributor, accounting for 362 fires in 2024, double from 181 in 2022, while incidents involving EVs rose by 77%.

And blazes involving e-scooters increased by 32% from 118 in 2022 to 156 in 2024.

Of all the fire services in the UK, London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, with 407 incidents – more than four times the next highest region.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service was second, reporting 100 lithium-ion battery fires, and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue was third with 94 reported incidents.

Adrian Simmonds, practice leader for property risk solutions at QBE, said: “Lithium-ion battery fires continue increasing at a worrying pace.

“These fires burn differently, they take longer to tackle, typically need 10 times more water to put out and are often more harmful to the surrounding environment. People need to understand the risks and how to deal with them.”

Plea

QBE obtained the data after making a Freedom of Information (FOI) request in March 2025 to 50 UK fire services, receiving data from 42 of them as of 7 May 2025.

The insurer is calling for improvements to lithium-ion battery safety, saying that there was a growing need for better public education on safe battery use and fire prevention.

It is also calling for stricter regulation around e-transport.

Simmonds said: “While QBE supports the adoption of e-transport, we also call for stricter regulation. For instance, the UK should stop the sale of rogue e-bikes and other unregulated devices. This could be done in the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is going through Parliament.

“In the meantime, consumers should purchase e-bikes and e-scooters from reputable companies, so retailers that show they take quality and compliance seriously with a genuine CE mark.

“Raising awareness around safe charging, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries is critical to keeping people and property safe.”