Essential eBike Lithium Battery Safety Guide

Are Lithium Batteries in E-bikes Safe?

Lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used in electric bikes nowadays. These batteries are stable, efficient, and have high power densities. Lithium-ion batteries are more environmentally friendly to make, have longer life cycles, and are simpler to dispose of than less expensive lead-acid batteries.

However, the characteristics that make lithium-ion batteries so energy-efficient also make them very explosive under the wrong circumstances, posing a severe safety risk. Lithium-based batteries tend to overheat and can be hazardous if handled improperly or not undergone thorough testing and certification.

Understanding the Lithium Batteries in Heybike E-Bikes

At Heybike, we exclusively create e-bikes with electrical and battery systems that have undergone extensive testing.

By the UL 2849 standard, Heybike electric bikes and their batteries have received TUV certification. To guarantee the highest level of safety for riders, Heybike e-bikes, their batteries, and numerous other electrical components have undergone extensive testing. Riders on Heybike can verify certification.

Because lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density and a lengthy lifespan, they can store a lot of energy in a small space. In Heybike e-bikes, lithium-ion batteries are used. Heybike spends extra time and effort producing electric bikes using cutting-edge eBike systems to provide you with a riding experience that is enjoyable, environmentally friendly, and secure.

Common Safety Risks and Concerns

Overcharging

It can occur in one of two ways: when a charger fails to cut off when the battery voltage reaches its maximum setting when the BMS permits an overcharge but fails to disconnect the battery from the power source when it is complete, or both. It may cause the battery to overheat and catch fire in the worst situations. Additionally, trying to charge too quickly may be the cause. It is typically due to using an improper charger, which supplies current and voltage higher than the battery can safely handle. If the BMS or charger does not identify the problem and isolate itself, this results in overheating and later fire.

Extreme Temperatures

Thermal runaway is almost always a secondary effect to one or more of the above external factors and does not happen. Over-charging, over-discharging, leaving the battery exposed to extreme (60C+) temperatures, or severe impacts can lead to internal shorts that gradually heat the battery pack beyond safe working limits, causing the cells inside to vent. It is characterized by a popping noise, followed immediately by a hiss as a cell vents its rising internal pressure. Cells like the cheap Chinese unbranded ones do not have this manufactured-in weak point (a burst disc) and tend to violently explode instead.

Approved Chargers

As well as reducing the likelihood of the above two scenarios, the BMS itself is also a potential failure point. Bad-quality ones tend to fail. In other words, when it fails, it effectively ceases to exist and allows the battery to be overcharged and over-discharged, sometimes without warning. Good quality chargers not only lock up the battery from being used but remain contactable and if plugged into diagnostics, an authorized repair center is able to see what has gone wrong.

Physical Damage

Even active mountain riding can cause regular bumps, jolts, and scrapes that good batteries can withstand, but no battery is impenetrable. An authorized repair facility should evaluate your battery if it falls a few feet onto a hard surface or rattles. Drops from heights of more than a foot or two onto solid surfaces may dislodge parts, causing internal short circuits that may ignite a fire.

E-Bike Battery Safety Tips

• Never leave an e-bike battery charging overnight or unattended.
• Use a functioning electric bicycle battery at all times; never use or attempt to charge a broken or defective battery.
• Use only the charger that came with your e-bike to recharge the battery.
• Never use refurbished, low-cost, aftermarket, or low-quality e-bike batteries.
• When not in use, if at all possible, keep your e-bike battery inside a fire-resistant cabinet or container.
• To properly dispose of damaged e-bike batteries, speak with your local fire department and store them outside.
• And of course, always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Conclusion

Finally, sufficient charging is required for the safe and efficient function of batteries. E-bike batteries are vulnerable to common charging mistakes and hazards, including overcharging, exposure to extreme temperatures, and physical damage. These issues can limit performance, resulting in battery failure or igniting or exploding. Riders should adhere to the charging, storing, and disposal guidelines offered by the manufacturers of their e-bikes to reduce these dangers.

Fire hazards are one of the main threats offered by a hazardous e-bike. When buying an e-bike, you must ensure the system and battery are TUV certified. Select Heybike e-bikes lithium-ion batteries that have received TUV safety certification.