Bill to tackle lithium-ion batteries proposed
Contents |
[edit] Campaign to tackle the issue
ECA is backing a campaign led by industry charity Electrical Safety First to stop the alarming rise in deaths and injuries resulting from fires and explosions caused by e-scooter and e-bike batteries.
[edit] Scale of the issue
Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and e-bikes have multiplied fourfold since 2020, resulting in deaths, hospitalisations, homelessness, and staggering financial losses.
Over 190 people have been injured, and eight lives lost due to this concerning trend. The UK is now facing a disturbing projection of nearly one e-bike or e-scooter fire per day this year, a significant leap from just over one per week in 2020.
This issue is widespread across the UK- in the last 18 months there have been battery fires in over 100 UK parliamentary constituencies.
[edit] Proposals of the bill
ESF's Bill proposes solutions to these challenges, including:
- Clause 1: Safety Assurance - This clause mandates a third-party safety assessment, conducted by a government-approved body, for all e-bikes, e-scooters, and their lithium-ion batteries before they enter the UK market. This process mirrors safety measures in place for other high-risk products like fireworks and heavy machinery.
- Clause 2: Responsible Disposal - This clause requires the Government to make regulations ensuring the safe disposal of lithium batteries once their lifecycle ends.
- Clause 3: Comprehensive Fire Safety - This clause assigns the Government the responsibility of comprehensively addressing fire-related concerns. This involves enhancing safe usage, charging, and storage practices for these devices. It includes setting standards for conversion kits and charging systems, and consideration for a temporary ban on the sale of universal chargers that heighten fire risks.
[edit] Further information
Additional clauses in the Bill can be read here.
[edit] Express support here
Readers are encouraged to express their support for the Bill - learn how you can do so here.
This article appears on the ECA news and blog sites as "ECA backs Bill to tackle Li-Ion battery fires" dated November 15, 2023.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Battery.
- Battery storage.
- BSRIA definitions.
- Carbon capture and storage.
- Electric vehicles.
- E-bike market projections to 2027.
- Energy.
- Energy harvesting.
- Energy storage - the missing piece?
- Energy storage in buildings - a technology overview BG73 2018.
- Flywheel.
- Flow battery.
- Fuel cell.
- Hydroelectricity.
- Lithium-ion battery.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Market Size to 2027.
- Pumped hydro.
- Types of materials.
- Types of battery.
Featured articles and news
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.