Battery safety for e-scooter users
How to buy, safely charge and store an e-scooter and spot the warning signs of a fire hazard.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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While most e-scooters and their batteries are very safe in normal use, lithium battery packs can cause serious fires, particularly if of poor quality or when damaged or improperly used.
This guidance provides safety advice for e-scooter users. It covers:
- how to safely purchase an e-scooter
- safe storage and charging of an e-scooter
- the warning signs for fire risk and what to do
- disposing of batteries responsibly
Only e-scooters participating in official rental e-scooter trials may be used legally on roads.
Other e-scooters, not part of these official trials, are classed as powered transporters and cannot be used legally except on private land with the permission of the landowner.
If you use an e-scooter illegally, you could face a fine and penalty points on your licence, and the e-scooter could be impounded.