Battery Safety

The Battery Safety Committee Meeting on May 21, 2026, addressed critical safety issues regarding e-bike batteries, particularly focusing on Rad Power's design flaws that led to a significant recall and bankruptcy. With 31 attendees, the meeting highlighted alarming statistics, revealing that 20.2% of surveyed e-bike riders experienced battery fires, especially among delivery and off-road users. The committee discussed various safety measures, including proposals for public education on battery safety, and decided to hold future meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month. Action items were assigned to members to further enhance safety protocols in the industry.%0aThe discussion also covered the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall due to 35 field fires linked to battery failures, emphasizing the need for improved safety standards. The meeting explored technical aspects such as potting designs and cell propagation resistance, noting that e-bike batteries under 1-2 kilowatt hours are currently exempt from certain regulations. Additionally, findings from a report on aircraft battery packs were shared, stressing the importance of testing for water tightness and the accelerated aging of cells in higher temperature environments.