One of the UK’s largest insurers, Zurich Insurance, is reporting a 149% increase in e-bike and e-scooter fires and other devices powered by lithium battery saw fires jump by 63% .
Maria said;
‘’Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly part of our everyday lives, in laptops, e-scooters, electric vehicles and are increasingly being used in industrial energy storage units. But the evidence shows they are also a new and rapidly emerging fire risk.
'"Academics, industry leaders, insurers and fire officers are already alert to this danger and want to see our safety regulations modernised to mitigate against the fire risks that they pose.
"In September I introduced in the House of Commons a proposed change in the law that focuses on reclassifying industrial lithium-ion batteries as hazardous. MPs from all parties have supported this change to ensure that these battery facilities are in appropriate locations and that the correct fire safety authorities are consulted during the planning process.’’
Maria will continue to put pressure on the Government to better regulate lithium-ion batteries as part of the Energy Security Bill.