eBay will ban the sale of e-bikes and their batteries by private individuals in Britain from October 31, amid growing concerns about battery fires.
As of this date, only “eligible business sellers” may list these items, although the company has not yet clarified the specific eligibility criteria.
E-bikes, which use battery-powered pedals, have become increasingly popular, but the increase in use has coincided with a sharp rise in battery fire incidents. The London Fire Brigade recorded 155 e-bike fires in 2023, an increase of 78% on the previous year. This rise has led to warnings from safety authorities, with e-bike batteries officially classified as “hazardous” products by UK regulators.
In June, a coroner called for government action after a fatal fire caused by an overheated e-bike battery. These incidents have intensified scrutiny of e-bike safety standards.
“Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay,” said a spokesperson for the platform. Earlier this year, eBay announced plans to audit sellers to ensure their products have the necessary CE safety documentation.
The change has been welcomed by safety advocates. Electrical Safety First, a British charity, praised eBay’s decision but called for more robust legal frameworks to ensure all products sold online meet safety standards. “While this voluntary step is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to be legally required to take reasonable steps to ensure products sold through their sites are safe,” a spokesperson said.
The UK Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is being passed by Parliament, could establish such legal obligations in the future, providing further protection against the risks of unsafe e-bike batteries.