September 24, 2024 - (Washington, DC) Consumer Reports (CR) calls on retailers and online platforms to immediately stop the sale of “universal” chargers marketed for mobility products such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards, due to serious fire hazards.
This follows a warning from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advising consumers not to buy or use “universal” chargers with these products.
According to the CPSC, these chargers are linked to 156 fire and thermal incidents between January 2023 and May 2024, including reports of significant injuries and property damage. While “universal” chargers may fit into e-bikes and other devices, they can still be incompatible, and result in the battery igniting and catching fire.
To address the rising toll of injuries and deaths linked to lithium-ion battery fires in mobility devices, CR is urging the swift enactment of the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act. The legislation passed through the full House and the Senate Commerce Committee, but it is yet to be approved by the full Senate. If enacted, this legislation would direct the CPSC to create and enforce a mandatory safety standard for lithium-ion batteries, chargers, and related components used in e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar mobility devices.
“Knowing the risks of fire and the extensive damage tied to universal chargers, retailers and online platforms should immediately stop their sale if they are marketed for e-bikes or other mobility products. They should also proactively reach out to previous buyers of these products to warn consumers about the dangers,” said Gabe Knight, safety policy analyst for Consumer Reports. “The number and severity of these incidents highlights the urgent need to pass legislation that would ensure lithium-ion batteries and chargers meet strong mandatory safety standards. To help prevent further devastation, we call on the Senate to approve the House-passed version of the bill as soon as possible.”
Both CR and the CPSC have advised consumers to use only chargers that are UL-certified and specifically designed for their e-bikes or other mobility devices. “Universal” chargers, while seemingly convenient, can lead to devastating fires when used with incompatible batteries.
As one CPSC commissioner explained in a related statement, “Even good batteries can cause fires when used with incompatible chargers.” The CPSC has linked two specific “universal” chargers—the SafPow SPC-42020 and AMPOWSURE ASP-C10S42020, sold on Amazon and eBay—to 47 reported fires and over $100,000 in damages. Both companies have refused to recall the products.
CR shared the following key safety tips for consumers:
• Use only the charger that is intended for your mobility device.
• If you need a replacement, contact the device manufacturer to ensure you purchase a charger that works for your device.
• If shopping for a e-bike, e-scooter, or similar device, buy from a reputable manufacturer, and make sure the device has a UL certification label.
For more information on how to prevent e-bike battery fires, read CR’s reporting from earlier this year.
