E-bike batteries from delivery services as a fire risk
Delivery services such as Lieferando, Flink, Rewe Online and Deutsche Post / DHL rely at least in part on e-bikes and electric cargo bikes for their deliveries. A few years ago, pizza delivery service Domino's, for example, realised that this also entails risks: In the Netherlands, the e-bike battery of one of the delivery bikes ignited and the fire completely destroyed the branch and also damaged the flats in the building. What is particularly tricky is that burning lithium-ion batteries are practically impossible to extinguish.
Delivery services are at a particularly high risk of battery fires:
- Their e-bike batteries are used a lot and therefore need to be charged often.
- Riders also have to use their e-bikes in winter and sometimes leave the bike batteries out in the sun.
- The e-bikes are often parked – and sometimes in unfavourable places. This increases the risk of falls. Unfortunately, riders are also involved in road accidents.
- E-bike batteries contain a lot of energy and therefore burn longer and more intensively than a smartphone, for example, in the event of a ‘thermal runaway’.
- Charging e-bike batteries is the most dangerous moment in the operating cycle. And this usually takes place in the delivery service's warehouse (‘hub’) – right next to other e-bikes to which the fire can spread.
- Some delivery services operate their own workshops where damaged, deflated or otherwise defective e-bike batteries are replaced and disposed of. However, damaged e-bike batteries are particularly dangerous.
Some delivery services have therefore started to use special fireproof containers for charging and storing lithium-ion batteries. Such fire protection measures not only protect employees, they can also help to reduce insurance premiums and avoid claims for damages in the event of a battery fire. We at RETRON offer such containers in various sizes and can also take care of the disposal of defective e-bike batteries. Contact us, we will be happy to advise you.
