Lithium-ion batteries and e-micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters

Choose safe e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium-ion batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are used in everyday portable devices like mobile phones and laptops. They are also used to power e-micromobility vehicles, such as electric bikes, scooters, skateboards, and self-balancing scooters.

Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if they’re faulty, damaged or used incorrectly. The lithium-ion batteries used in e-micromobility devices contain solvents that are especially flammable.

When you’re shopping for an e-micromobility vehicle or battery:

Buy from a reliable manufacturer or retailer.
Look for an electrical safety approval mark on the vehicle, battery and charger. For help identifying approval marks and numbers, visit safety labels for electric goods.
Buy a battery recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Make sure the retailer provides you with information about safe use, charging, storage, fire prevention, and disposal of vehicles and batteries.

If you're buying an e-bike, download our guide to buying an e-bike. It includes information about NSW safety requirements and road-use rules for e-bikes.

Buying a second-hand e-micromobility vehicle

If you’re thinking about buying a second-hand e-micromobility vehicle:

Check the vehicle for an electrical safety approval mark. You can also check if the model is listed on the register of certified products.
Have a professional check it to make sure it's in good working order and hasn't been modified.
Never use a second-hand battery; it could be damaged, modified, or faulty.
Make sure to use a compatible battery and charger.

Use, charge and store lithium-ion batteries safely

Reduce the risk of fire. Follow these steps when you charge and store lithium-ion batteries.

Use a compatible battery and charger

Use a battery recommended by the manufacturer of your device, with the correct voltage.

Always use a charger and battery that are compatible with each other. Using an incompatible battery and charger can cause the battery to overheat, catch fire, and even explode.

Never modify or tamper with the motor, speed limiter, or battery of your vehicle. These types of modifications can increase the risk of fire. They can also make your device unstable and illegal to ride on or near public roads.

Charge and store lithium-ion batteries safely

Charge and store batteries in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and flammable materials like bedding or carpet.

Avoid charging batteries near doorways or exits that you might need to use in the event of a fire.

Store and charge large batteries (like those used in e-bikes and e-scooters) in a garage, shed, or carport, away from living areas.

Do

Monitor charging times and disconnect once the battery is full. Consider setting a timer.
Allow time for batteries to cool down after use before you charge or store them.
Charge batteries on hard, non-flammable surfaces like concrete or tiles, away from doorways and exits.
Charge batteries in a room with a working smoke alarm.

Do not

Never use a charger or battery that is overheating or showing signs of damage.
Never leave batteries to charge unattended.
Never charge batteries while asleep.
Never charge batteries on combustible or flammable materials like beds, sofas or carpets.

How to recognise and handle a damaged or faulty lithium-ion battery

Damaged or faulty batteries are dangerous; they can catch fire and even explode. Know the signs and what to do.

Signs of a damaged or faulty battery

Know the warning signs when it comes to damaged or faulty batteries. If your battery shows any of these signs, stop using it immediately:

swelling or bulging, leaking, cracks, dents, punctures, or crushing
overheating
releasing vapours or smoke
it's gotten wet or has been in water
it's been exposed to fire.

What to do with a damaged or faulty battery

Never throw a damaged battery in your regular home waste bin, recycling bin or kerbside bin. It could start a fire.

Keep the battery in a well-ventilated area, at least 3 metres away from any structures or combustible materials, until you can safely dispose of it.

In an emergency, call 000. Otherwise, contact:

a B-cycle accredited battery collector
the NSW EPA Environment Line on 131 500.

What to do in a battery fire

If your device starts to smoke or emit flames, follow Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) advice.

If you are injured or require urgent medical assistance, call 000 immediately.

Recycle lithium-ion batteries correctly

Do not dispose of lithium-ion batteries in any household or kerbside bin. Throwing batteries in the bin can cause a fire in the bin, garbage truck or waste collection facility.

Recycling e-bike and e-scooter batteries

You can recycle removeable batteries from e-micromobility devices like e-scooters and e-bikes at:

If the battery is not removable, take your e-scooter or e-bike to an embedded batteries trial location.

Recycling other lithium-ion batteries

Take undamaged, handheld batteries from small electronic devices to a battery recycling bin. Cover the terminals with clear, adhesive tape to prevent sparking and potential fires.

Take e-cigarettes and disposable vapes to an embedded batteries trial location or Household Chemical CleanOut event.

A range of other household items contain embedded batteries. Find out what you can bring to an embedded batteries trial location and your nearest participating Community Recycling Centre.

Lithium-ion batteries: shop, charge and recycle safely
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Report a product safety concern

If you become aware of an unmarked or unsafe product, alert the supplier and report it to NSW Fair Trading. You should do this even if no one has been injured.

To contact NSW Fair Trading, call 13 32 20 or make a complaint online.

You can also report the product to ACCC Product Safety. Check out their product safety recall list first to make sure the product hasn’t already been reported.