How to charge the battery of your e-bike safely

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Essential safety tips for charging an e-bike battery

The National Fire Chiefs Council has put together the following instructions on how to safely charge the battery of your e-bike:

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when charging and always unplug your charger when it’s finished charging.
Ensure you have working smoke alarms. If you charge or store your e-bike or e-scooter in a garage or kitchen, ensure you install detection, we recommend heat alarms rather than smoke detectors for these areas.
Charge batteries whilst you are awake and alert so if a fire should occur you can respond quickly. Don’t leave batteries to charge while you are asleep or away from the home.
Always use the manufacturer approved charger for the product, and if you spot any signs of wear and tear or damage buy an official replacement charger for your product from a reputable seller.
Do not cover chargers or battery packs when charging as this could lead to overheating or even a fire.
Do not charge batteries or store your e-bike or e-scooter near combustible or flammable materials.
Do not overcharge your battery – check the manufacturer’s instructions for charge times.
Do not overload socket outlets or use inappropriate extension leads (use un-coiled extensions and ensure the lead is suitably rated for what you are plugging in to it).
In the event of an e-bike, e-scooter or lithium-ion battery fire – do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Get out, stay out, call 999.

How do I charge my e-bike battery and how long will it take?

Some batteries are mounted onto the bike’s frame, and others are integrated into the bike’s frame.

On most e-bikes, you take the battery off (after unlocking it with a key) and then you connect the battery to a charger which is plugged into the mains.

This charger will be provided with the purchase of an e-bike.

Some e-bikes have integrated batteries within the frame, which can be taken off, but it might be easier to charge the battery while it stays on the bike. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Charging the battery of an e-bike will take roughly between 2 and 7 hours.

It is usually recommended by the battery manufacturer to store the battery inside during cold weather to prolong the battery life, and also during very hot weather to prevent overheating.

Only buy an e-bike and replacement batteries from a reputable dealer

E-bikes can be bought from reputable online retailers or from your local bike shop and should always meet relevant safety standards.

Cheaper and poor quality e-bikes can be dangerous because their batteries will often be unbranded and their origin is unknown, and may not meet safety standards.

We would strongly advise you to only purchase an e-bike from a reputable online retailer or from your local bike shop, check it meets safety standards and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Term is well underway, routines are settling in, and that makes now a good moment to build cycling into everyday life, not just at the start of term but for the weeks ahead.

If you've been meaning to try cycling to school, there's still no pressure to do it every day: even once a week is a great way to build confidence and get everyone comfortable on their bikes.

The mornings are noticeably cooler now, and the evenings are drawing in too, so it's worth thinking about layers, lights and waterproof bits sooner rather than later. A little planning helps: finding routes that avoid the worst of the traffic, and building in a bit of extra time while everyone gets used to riding in the dimmer light.

Whether it's the ride to the school gates, a weekend trail or just a spin round the block, every journey this term is a chance to build confidence, stay active and make cycling part of family life. Half term is coming up too, a great excuse for a longer ride together.

Explore our guides for getting kitted out for cooler days, route planning and tips to help your family cycle to school with confidence this term.