Council warns e-bike and e-scooter users about battery fire risks
3 September 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
Richmond Council is urging residents who own or are thinking of buying an e-bike or e-scooter to take care when purchasing batteries online, warning that poor-quality or modified batteries carry a serious fire risk.
The key advice is straightforward: only use a battery supplied or approved by the original manufacturer. If a third-party battery seems like a bargain, the council says the saving is rarely worth the potential danger.
Disposal matters too. Batteries must never go into household rubbish or recycling bins — they can cause fires in bin lorries and at waste-processing sites. Manufacturers and importers are legally required to offer a free take-back service, so the first step is to contact the retailer or manufacturer directly. Alternatively, participating Halfords stores accept batteries for recycling.
The council also takes the opportunity to remind residents that privately-owned e-scooters remain illegal on public roads and in public places across the borough. Only rental e-scooters, operated through an official scheme, may be ridden legally in public. Riders of private scooters face potential fines and the risk of having their vehicle confiscated.
Full guidance is available on the council's website. Richmond Council e-bike battery safety warning