Lithium-ion battery related fires (pictured), including those caused by low quality batteries in e-mobility devices, are the fastest growing cause of fires in NSW.
In response to growing demand for these products and increased community risk from poor-quality versions, sellers will soon face penalties of up to $825,000 if they do not meet strict new standards.
This nation-leading move follows the rapid growth in the demand for e-mobility devices which in 2022, increased 322 per cent compared with 2020.
Since January 1, Fire and Rescue NSW has attended 54 fires related to e-scooter, e-bikes, e-skateboards or hoverboards, including one resulting in two fatalities.
My Battery Plus’s Anoosh Cyrus said his store only stocked quality brands from reputable Australian suppliers.
“We know there are quite a few inferior brands which are dangerous out there so the crackdown is welcome action,” he said.
Battery Brands Warehouse’s Feros Carn said they only had Invicta Deep Cycle batteries which were the safest in the marketplace.
“In fact it’s the only brand that comes with a seven-year warranty,” he said.
“We don’t stock any cheap imports.”
NSW Fair Trading will require e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards to meet new product standards by February 1, 2025.
The new standards being applied, can be viewed at fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Get tough on low quality batteries
NSW will impose strict new standards on lithium-ion battery powered e-bikes, e-scooters and similar products as it pursues a national approach to low quality products in a move that has been applauded by My Battery Plus Auburn and Battery Brands Warehouse Granville.
