Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, said it was “extremely disappointing” there was no inclusion in today’s King’s Speech for vitally important issues relating to electrical safety which urgently need to be tackled.
Electrical Safety First has recently put forward a draft Private Member’s Bill (The Safety of Electric-Powered Micromobility Vehicles and Lithium Batteries Bill) to combat the rise in devastating fires caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries.
It is seeking to enlist a heroic MP who will lead the charge in saving lives and protecting those reputable manufacturers who are producing safe e-bikes and e-scooters.
Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and e-bikes have quadrupled since 2020, resulting in deaths, hospitalisations, homelessness and multimillion-pound losses.
Ms Rudd said: “The UK is now facing the likelihood of nearly one e-bike or e-scooter fire per day this year, a significant increase from just over one per week in 2020. Urgent government intervention is crucial to address this escalating danger to lives.
“There is fast-growing cross-party support for our draft Bill within the UK Parliament, and we urge the government to ensure such a crucial piece of legislation is given the time it needs to become law during this parliamentary session.”
