The discussion around micro mobility batteries is highlighted once again in a new media release by the New South Wales Government. The memo looks into New South Wale’s plan to implement new standards, tests and certification of e-Bike, e-scooter and other micro mobility batteries in attempts to curb the fastest growing cause of fires. According to the memo, between 2022 and 2023, around 90 fires in the state had been attributed to batteries used in e-Bikes and e-scooters. Products sold that do not meet these standards could be hit with a $825,00 fine for corporates, or $82,500 for individuals. 

Similarly in an article written in the ABC, the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), an independent body that represent apartment owners is looking at drafting by-laws to ban residents from storing cheaper imported models, modified or damaged eBikes. OCN comments that well-made eBikes that meets Australian Standards were safe, and the risks were attributed to modified, damaged or cheaper unsafe variants being charged indoors or in places 

It is important to understand what standards are currently in place in Australia for batteries.

AS/NZS IEC 62133 provides a detailed framework for the safe construction and operation of lithium-ion battery packs, focusing on the complete pack rather than individual cells. This standard is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of battery packs used in micromobility devices and e-bikes. Other standards such as AS/NZS 60335 focuses on battery chargers and their construction. While these standards exists, enforcing these product standards seem to be difficult as non-standard batteries can be easily purchased and obtained from retailers online and from overseas.

A quick search on Amazon, Aliexpress and other sites shows numerous eBike battery packs available at varying voltages, amps and fitment. There is no actual limitation for anyone to purchase these batteries online, and removing non-compliant battery packs from circulation are difficult, since testing each pack that arrives in Australia may not be so feasible. Regardless of origin and quality, the actual causes for battery fires could still be attributed to an event called “Thermal Runaway” where the materials inside the cell get so hot that the protective layers between the metallic sheets break down and cause an internal short circuit, leading to more uncontrolled heat produced and eventually a fire. Potential causes for this can include imbalanced voltages in the cell pack, improper charging, sub-standard BMS systems or a combination of factors such as over-charging and over-current while charging. Battery cells can only take so much current before being physically warm, and the more current is supplied, the hotter the battery will get. This is why a good charger with a suitable (not too fast) charge rate is crucial in preventing cell degradation and overheating. While cells from reputable brands such as LG, Panasonic and Samsung may qualify under these existing standards from the factory, factors beyond the factory could cause these cells to malfunction.  

We can also take a look at the socio-economic aspects of these. A relatively cheap 36V eBike battery from overseas can be as-cheap as $300 – $400 per-pack while a higher quality unit maybe twice or three times as much. For those looking for a budget option, the abundance of cheaper options is attractive enough to make the purchase. Any battery pack assembled correctly, charged correctly and used within specifications should work and continue to work. However, lack of potential safety protections and charging habits may cause these cheaper battery packs to degrade and fail. Similarly, DIY battery packs are now fairly common with good, compliant battery cells purchasable for a few dollars per cell, and hand-made at home. These also carry risk as any inexperienced builder could weld the tabs in wrong ends or purchase low-end BMS modules that may not work as well. 

While the socio-economic aspects and other factors cannot be ruled out, it is nevertheless important to promote good battery handling and charging habits and prevent incidents on the user’s side from occurring as much as possible. A good start is by promoting an understanding of the general causes, and the circumstance leading up before these incidents and how to prevent these to begin with. Legal frameworks around battery supplies may not stop these incidents from happening outright but this may be a way forward to push battery suppliers (both makers, distributors and retailers) to provide safer batteries to the community.

RG