Energy Storage systems are not the same as e-bikes - Understanding battery safety standards
by John Southern, Operations and Strategy Director
Recent media reports have highlighted tragic incidents involving fires caused by e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries. While any battery-related fire is a serious concern, it is important that consumers understand there are significant differences between domestic battery energy storage systems (BESS) and the batteries commonly found in e-bikes, e-scooters and other light electric vehicles.
Not all lithium batteries are the same
“Lithium-ion battery” is an umbrella term covering many different chemistries and applications. The battery installed as part of a professionally designed home energy storage system is fundamentally different from the battery pack used in a consumer e-bike or e-scooter.
Many domestic energy storage products use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP or LiFePO₄) chemistry, which is widely recognised within the industry for its thermal stability and lower propensity for thermal runaway compared with some other lithium-ion chemistries. Industrial and stationary energy storage batteries are specifically engineered for long-term stationary operation, sophisticated monitoring and fault management, rather than the lowest possible cost or maximum power density.
A highly regulated industry
Unlike many products associated with reported battery fires, residential battery energy storage systems are subject to extensive international testing, certification and installation requirements.
Industrial and stationary batteries used within energy storage systems are generally tested against standards such as IEC 62619, which was specifically developed for lithium batteries used in industrial and stationary applications including electrical energy storage systems. The standard includes electrical, mechanical, environmental and abuse testing designed to verify safe operation under both normal and fault conditions.
Testing includes assessments for:
- Overcharge conditions
- External short circuits
- Mechanical shock and vibration
- Thermal abuse
- Battery management system (BMS) protection functions
- Thermal runaway mitigation requirements
These tests are designed to ensure batteries do not ignite, explode or create unacceptable hazards when subjected to foreseeable fault conditions.
Strict transport testing before batteries reach the UK
Before being transported internationally, lithium batteries must also satisfy UN 38.3 transport safety requirements.
This involves a series of mandatory tests simulating real-world transport conditions, including:
- Altitude simulation
- Thermal cycling
- Vibration testing
- Mechanical shock testing
- Crush/impact testing
- Overcharge testing
- Forced discharge testing
A battery that cannot successfully complete these tests cannot legally enter the global transportation chain.
Installation standards go far beyond the product itself
The UK also has one of the world’s most comprehensive installation safety specifications for domestic battery storage.
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 provides requirements for electrical installations and includes Chapter 57 on stationary secondary batteries covering:
- Battery placement and location
- Fire risk mitigation
- System controls and fault management
- Fire separation requirements
- Escape route considerations
- Installation best practice
The objective is not only to minimise the likelihood of a battery becoming the source of a fire, but also to reduce the potential impact should a fire occur elsewhere within the property.
The facts matter
Consumers should note that headlines about e-bike or e-scooter battery fires do not automatically apply to residential energy storage systems.
While all electrical equipment carries some level of risk, domestic battery energy storage systems supplied by reputable manufacturers, tested to recognised international standards and installed in accordance with BS 7671 operate within a significantly more controlled regulatory, manufacturing and installation framework than many of the products involved in reported e-bike incidents.
The UK energy storage sector remains committed to continuous improvement in product safety, installer competence and consumer protection. ESA members work closely with certification bodies, installers, fire authorities and government stakeholders to ensure battery energy storage systems continue to be deployed safely and responsibly across the UK.
29th September 2026