Battery Safety

The Battery Safety Committee Meeting on May 21, 2026, addressed critical safety concerns regarding e-bike batteries, particularly focusing on Rad Power's design flaws that led to significant fire incidents and a subsequent recall. With 31 attendees, the meeting highlighted that 20.2% of surveyed e-bike riders had experienced battery fires, especially among delivery and off-road users. Discussions revolved around enhancing safety measures, regulatory standards, and public education on battery safety, culminating in the assignment of action items before the meeting's adjournment at 5:03 p.m.%0aThe text further elaborated on the specific design weaknesses of Rad Power's batteries, including the absence of cell balancing and thermal barriers, which contributed to their average performance compared to other e-bike batteries. The recall was triggered by around 35 reported field fires, as noted by Brian Morin from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Additionally, the meeting touched on safety measures such as potting designs and the current regulatory landscape, pointing out that e-bike batteries below 1-2 kilowatt hours are not yet mandated to comply with certain safety standards. Morin also shared insights from a report on aircraft battery packs, stressing the importance of testing for water tightness and monitoring the aging of cells.