State to crackdown on cheap ebike batteries

The NSW government plans to crack down on poor quality, cheap or faulty lithium-ion batteries, a move that will come as some relief to strata committees and residents across the state.

From February 1, 2025 NSW Fair Trading will require e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards to meet new product standards. Sellers will face penalties of up to $825,000 if they do not meet the strict new standards.

Strata dwellers have more reason that most to be concerned about fires caused by Li-ion batteries, which are used in everything from electric razors to ebikes and scooters.

Li-ion battery related fires, including those caused by low quality batteries in e-mobility devices, are the fastest growing cause of fires in NSW. There have been 54 fires so far this year, related to e-scooter, e-bikes, e-skateboards or hoverboards, resulting in two deaths.

The problem with Li-ion battery fires is that they are very hard to extinguish – the chemical reaction creates its own oxygen – they accelerate quickly and can be explosively ferocious.

The fires often start because the battery is damaged or is improperly re-charged with faulty or mismatched equipment.

For strata residents, the concern is that you don’t know who in the flats above, below or next to you has an Li-ion battery charging in their home, let alone if they are taking all the necessary precautions to make sure they are safe.

The move that Fair Trading says is “nation leading” follows the rapid growth in the demand for e-mobility devices with the number of e-mobility devices sold in NSW having quadrupled between 2020 and 2022. New testing, certification and labelling requirements will be introduced in a staged process.

“We’re acting ahead of other jurisdictions because unregulated products are posing a huge risk to property and in some cases, lives,” Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation Anoulack Chanthivong said.

“Our action to ensure these products meet strict safety criteria will help save lives and protect property. NSW Fair Trading has worked with a wide range of stakeholders to get this done as quickly as possible.”

The NSW Government will formally request the regulation of these products be placed on the national agenda for the next federal and state Consumer Ministers Network meeting, with Minister Chanthivong writing to all Consumer Affairs Ministers across the country.

“As the risk of fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters continues to rise, these new rules are critical to saving lives and protecting consumers and their property from dangerous products,” NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann said.“NSW Fair Trading has worked hard to bring these new rules into effect, by engaging with key stakeholders from industry, government and peak bodies both in the state and nationally.  

“As we work towards the final stage of the implementation of these product standards, NSW Fair Trading will be actively monitoring and carrying out compliance activities to ensure traders and manufacturers get on board.”

The NSW Fair Trading Commissioner has declared lithium-ion battery powered e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards as well as their batteries and chargers as ‘declared electrical articles’ under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 (the G&E Act).

Under the declaration, products sold in NSW will need to meet a set of internationally accepted product standards and be appropriately tested and certified before they enter the market.  

To support the change, NSW Fair Trading has also started a consumer education campaign explaining how these products should be used, highlighting unsafe charging practices and other factors that may cause fires.  

Each of the new standards being applied to lithium-ion battery powered e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards can be viewed in full on the Fair Trading website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/safety-home/electrical-safety/lithium-ion-battery-safety/new-safety-standards-for-lithium-ion-batteries-e-mobility-devices

“The NRMA has been deeply concerned by the increasing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters, posing significant risks to users and the public,” Robert Giltinan NRMA Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said.

“We commend the NSW Government for working with stakeholders and for taking decisive action to implement stringent product standards, testing protocols and certification requirements to enhance safety.

“It is crucial that these measures be adopted nationally, and we fully support the NSW Government’s initiative to place this regulation on the national agenda to create a unified approach across Australia.”

“E-bikes and e-scooters are fantastic mobility solutions for many people in NSW, improving health, reducing congestion and harmful tailpipe emissions, in many cases, they are faster to get to work and school and most importantly they are fun,  Peter Bourke, general manager of Bicycle Industries Australia, said.

“The vast majority of products on the market are safe, utilising similar battery cells to laptops and phones and Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA) supports the direction of the NSW Minister to ensure that all products meet the required quality standards.”