In Australia, short car trips are our way of life. Off to the supermarket, jump in the car. School drop off – car. In fact, almost half of our daily trips by car are under 10kms. That’s seriously bad news for our greenhouse gas emissions.
The use of eBikes and scooters could turn this on its head, but battery fires have people worried about the dangers involved (and fair enough too).
At Lug+Carrie we want your eBike experience to be fun and worry free. That means being VERY confident that the safety of your eBike battery doesn’t need a second thought. So, let’s talk a little bit about battery safety and what you should look out for.
You can also read our guide to finding a safe and legal eBike in Australia.
First thing’s first, what is a Lithium Ion battery?
Lithium ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery used in most laptops, phones, eBikes, scooters and power tools. If not manufactured and managed correctly, they can be more dangerous than traditional batteries because of their chemicals and internal processes. In Australia, the regulations surrounding Lithium ion batteries vary state to state which leaves loopholes. This allows poorly manufactured batteries through the cracks and creating uncertainty amongst consumers. The ACCC advocates for standardised national regulation managed at a State level, so hopefully we’ll see that soon.
Not all eBike batteries were created equal
Lithium-ion batteries are used in most eBikes because they are efficient, compact and reliable, but many of them are not tested. The things that make them incredibly efficient, also make them highly flammable under the wrong conditions. Many of the stories about lithium-ion battery fires that we’ve seen in the press involve cheap bikes with cheap batteries.
Before we started Lug+Carrie, we rigorously tested countless eBikes. We loved Tern and Riese & Müller eBikes for lots of reasons, but their manufacturing quality and commitment to safety truly set them apart. They’re also exclusively powered by a Bosch battery and motor system. Bosch is a brand synonymous with high-quality manufacturing, safety, and reliability.
Both the eBikes themselves and the Bosch components they use are designed and tested in accordance with safety standard EN15194, the gold standard for eBike safety. This European standard has been adopted in Australia and covers everything from the bike’s mechanical integrity to the safety of the electrical system. It includes comprehensive third-party safety and compliance checks at Bosch’s manufacturing facilities around the world.
You may have seen media or online discussion about another safety standard called UL2849. This is the official safety standard for eBikes in the United States and is a great benchmark for that market. However, in Australia, we follow the European standard, EN15194, which is the relevant regulation for all road-legal eBikes. Lug+Carrie’s commitment is to ensure all of our bikes meet the EN15194 standard.
eBike tip: Only consider an eBike that is certified to the EN15194 standard and look for Bosch batteries and motors.
Charging your eBike battery
As well as unsafe, uncertified batteries, unsafe charging also causes fires. Users should always follow the manufacturers guidelines. The ACCC sets out some generic safety guidelines for charging Lithium ion batteries.
With their high compliance standards, the Bosch batteries that power Lug+Carrie’s fleet are much safer to charge than a regular Lithium ion battery. Lug+Carrie’s Cam Pelman offers a few tips for charging your Bosch battery safely.
- The batteries should be charged at room temperature in a dry location where a smoke detector is installed. The inbuilt Bosch battery management system won’t allow it to be charged below 0°c or above 40°c.
- You can charge your battery on your bike, or it’s easy to remove it and charge somewhere else e.g. inside your house or at work. If you remove to charge, when you are reinstalling onto your bike, remember to push and listen for the click.
- Lug+Carrie’s Bosch batteries have a battery management system to prevent overheating and overcharging. So, you don’t need to worry about unplugging it as soon as it’s charged.
- While it won’t start a fire, we do recommend unplugging as soon as is practicable once it’s full to extend the life of the battery. Leaving it plugged in when it’s full will reduce the battery capacity more rapidly.
- Only use the battery and charger provided with your eBike.
- Don’t tamper with or try to modify your battery or charger.
Here’s the full Bosch eBike Battery Guide.
eBike tip: always follow the manufacturers guidelines when it comes to looking after and charging your battery.
Peace of mind with a high-quality eBike
Just like with a car, it’s important to carry out regular maintenance and servicing on your bike and battery to ensure things are safe and working well. Unless you’re a bike mechanic, this can be confusing or costly.
At Lug+Carrie, we offer two great ways to get on a safe, high-quality eBike.
For Subscribers: Our all-inclusive, flexible eBike subscription is designed to give you complete peace of mind. The bike, accessories, maintenance, servicing, insurance, and rider rescue are all included in your weekly payment. This means one of our bike professionals will regularly inspect the safety of your bike and battery and fix or replace anything with safe and certified products. We’ll also regularly check in with you to share tips and answer any questions you have.
For Owners: If you prefer to own your bike outright, we have a curated range of new and refurbished eBikes available for purchase. To give you the same confidence our subscription customers enjoy, every eBike we sell comes with a professional tune-up and is backed by our expert servicing. Our team of professionals is always here to help with your eBike’s ongoing maintenance and servicing needs.
eBike tip: Ensure your bike and battery are regularly maintained and serviced by a professional.
We’re here to help!
eBikes have the potential to change the way we live and move around but, before anything else, they need to be safe. The battery fires we’re hearing about are occurring with cheap, poorly manufactured, and uncertified batteries. So, always make sure you look for bikes and batteries that are certified to the highest standards—EN15194 and always follow safety guidelines when it comes to charging and maintenance.
If you’re worried about safety, or have any questions about making the move to an eBike, our team is here to help. Get in contact with your local Lug+Carrie shop.
