By Adam Morris
Dozens of fires across Scotland have been caused by faulty electric bicycles and scooters, 1919 can reveal.
The increasing popularity of the vehicles has placed additional strain on the fire brigade, with at least 36 fires recorded in the past three years.
Concerns around the lithium-ion batteries used in the contraptions have prompted charities and fire chiefs to issue stern warnings to consumers and retailers.
And the true extent of the problem is likely to be far worse, as cases are only recorded when the lead firefighter explicitly notes in their report that e-bikes and e-scooters were the source of the blaze.
It is understood the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is now working with both the Scottish and UK governments to improve data gathering and provide an enhanced picture of the emerging threat.
Fire safety experts have warned the market is being “flooded with substandard versions of e-bike batteries” and urged the government to enhance regulation.
“Substandard e-bike batteries can cause ferocious fires if they fail, releasing toxic vapour into the home and decimating a room in minutes,” said Lesley Rudd, chief executive of charity Electrical Safety First.
“The nature of e-bikes and e-scooters predominantly being stored inside our homes means if the battery is substandard or faulty, the consequences can be devastating.”
“We know that house fires involving rechargeable electrical devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters are on the rise”
ACO Jon Henderson, Scottish Fire and Rescue
In the first three months of 2025 alone there were three fires attributed to the vehicles.
E-bikes were the source of fires in the Borders town of Jedburgh and in the Craigentinny area of Edinburgh.
And an e-scooter was responsible for a blaze in a building in the north of the capital.
In 2024 there were fires in all four major Scottish cities linked to the vehicles, as well as Falkirk, Fife and Renfrewshire.
The SFRS urged people to follow safety advice and always buy from a reputable dealer.
“We know that house fires involving rechargeable electrical devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters are on the rise,” said Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson, director of prevention, protection and preparedness.
“If they are damaged, faulty or if improperly used, the batteries can catch fire, and in some cases cause explosions and the release of toxic fumes.”
The statistics were released following a freedom of information request by 1919.
In the response, the fire service confirmed “there is no specific category” to record e-bike and e-scooter fires, and they only come to light “due to extra information being provided by the officer in charge”.
As a result, it is “currently contributing to a group which is supporting the Scottish Government and UK Home Office in a review” of the recording system.
The proliferation of e-bikes and e-scooters poses a dilemma for authorities, who are keen to encourage low-emission travel and exercise among those unlikely to use conventional pedal bikes.
But their availability and speed have made them attractive to criminals and groups of youths involved in antisocial behaviour, and their legal status in terms of public access use remains unclear and poorly understood.
Privately-owned e-scooters are not allowed on public roads, while in Scotland – unlike in England – there are currently no rental scheme trials.
Maurice Golden, a Scottish Conservative MSP who campaigns on pro-environment causes, said: “The electrification of bikes and scooters has great potential on a number of fronts, not least a major reduction in emissions.
“But they’ve presented other problems along the way in relation to misuse, disorder and the risk of fires.
“Some of these fires have been totally devastating, so we obviously need a no-nonsense regulation and enforcement regime to ensure all e-bikes and e-scooters are safe and legitimate.”