Lithium-ion battery-operated equipment (including electric scooters)

Information for the public, retailers and importers

There have been several fires involving electric scooters in Queensland. Electric bicycles and skateboards, hoverboards, electric mono-wheel devices, drones, remote control model aircraft, cars, boats and other toys, power tools and other battery operated household or recreational electrical appliances also use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (with internal or detachable battery packs).

Follow the safety tips below for any scooter or battery-operated equipment that has lithium-ion batteries to ensure you and your family stay safe.

Buying scooter or battery-operated equipment

• Check the battery charger has the regulatory compliance mark (RCM). This means it meets Australian safety standards. 

• Ensure your charger is certified and registered on the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) database.
• Before you buy, check the scooter or battery-operated equipment has a battery management system (BMS). If not, don’t buy it.
• Before buying new e-scooters or e-skateboards ask if they comply with the Australian standard for those devices (AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023).
• Don’t buy second hand e-scooters, e-skateboards or e-bikes if the seller isn’t selling the manufacturer supplied charger with the equipment (or a replacement charger as recommended by the scooter, skateboard or bike manufacturer). If the original owner doesn’t have the right charger, the equipment may have been charged incorrectly and the batteries may already be damaged.
• Before buying second hand scooter or battery-operated equipment inspect for any damage and make sure it hasn’t been ‘tinkered’ with. Check both the scooter or battery-operated equipment and charging device for any signs of:
  • cracked or broken parts of the case of the charger, or scooter or battery-operated equipment battery enclosure
  • discolouration of the charger case or battery enclosure that may show overheating has occurred
  • water ingress
  • bulging of battery pack or enclosure
  • damaged charger cords (cuts, exposed internal wires, severe kinks, discolouration, melting and pulled out of plugs or connectors parts).
• Purchase replacement chargers/batteries from the original equipment manufacturer where possible. If this is not possible, always buy from a trusted manufacturer and check the original scooter or battery-operated equipment manufacturer’s information for the specifications required for the charger/batteries to use.

Using scooter or battery operated equipment

• Don’t modify or repair batteries.
• Don’t try to use the battery or charger with other electrical equipment it was not design for.
• Never use a charger that has a different output charging voltage from the input charging voltage of the scooter or battery-operated equipment – this could cause a fire.
• If you use a charger with the wrong voltage output or have the wrong batteries in the scooter or battery operated equipment, you could cause a fire or explosion.
• Before and after any use and before charging, check both the scooter or battery-operated equipment and charging device for any signs of damage including:
  • cracked or broken parts of the case of the charger, or scooter or battery-operated equipment battery enclosure
  • discolouration of the charger case or battery enclosure that may show overheating has occurred
  • water ingress
  • bulging of battery pack or enclosure
  • damaged charger cords (cuts, exposed internal wires, severe kinks, discolouration, melting and pulled out of plugs or connectors parts).
• Charge during the day when you’re home and alert to any signs of electrical failure.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and use.
• Charge away from the effects of the weather, and where you can monitor the scooter or battery-operated equipment to check if anything abnormal is occurring (e.g. smoke, popping noises, flames, venting of gasses).
• Switch off the charger when the batteries for scooters, skateboards or bikes are fully charged and follow manufacturers’ instructions for other battery-operated equipment (some equipment can be left on charge in their specific charging stations/devices – such as robot vacuum cleaners, other battery vacuum cleaners, electric toothbrushes).
• Install and regularly test a working smoke alarm where charging occurs.
• Keep the scooter or battery-operated equipment and charger in an area clear from clutter so any heat generated during charging can safely dissipate and keep away from any flammable products like loose papers, clothes, bedding, couches or curtains.

Disposal of batteries

• Don’t put rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in household rubbish, normal recycle bins or in kerbside hard waste collection.
• Many battery types can be recycled.
• Planet Ark provide an easy locator for drop-off points. Planet Ark - Planet Ark Recycling Near You.
  
  Also check Recycle Mate or B-cycle for other safe disposal options.

More information

• ACCC
• QFD

Safety tips for retailers and importers of e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-bikes

Retailer safety tips:

• Purchase from a registered responsible supplier on the EESS.
• Ensure the power supply/battery charger supplied with the scooter or battery operated equipment has the RCM and is certified and registered on the EESS.
• Ensure the supplier provided you with relevant safety information for you to supply to buyers (e.g. safe use instructions, details of the charger type and voltage, battery details and type and safety tips on charging).
• For electric scooters and skateboards, check the responsible supplier provided you with evidence of the scooter complying to AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023  Particular requirements for Personal-e-transporters. For other battery equipment check they have been tested to Australian safety standards such as AS/NZS 60335.1:2022 Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety, Part 1: General requirements or AS/NZS 62638.1 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment, Part 1: Safety requirements.
• Ensure the responsible supplier provided evidence the scooter or battery-operated equipment battery pack includes a battery management system (BMS) tested to relevant safety standards such as IEC 62133 standards.
• Help sustainability through assisting consumers with recycling. Commercial recycling facilities can be found through various places such as Planet Ark: Home - Business Recycling, Recycle Mate or B-cycle.

Importer safety tips:

• Register as a responsible supplier on the EESS.
• Obtain a Certificate of Conformity for the battery charger supplied with the scooter or other battery operated equipment, place the RCM on the battery charger and register the battery charger on the EESS.
• Supply relevant safety information for your buyer (e.g. safe use instructions, details of the charger type and voltage, battery details and type and safety tips on charging).
• Obtain evidence the scooter or skateboard complies to AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023  Particular requirements for Personal-e-transporters. For other battery equipment check they have been tested to Australian safety standards such as AS/NZS 60335.1:2022 Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety, Part 1: General requirements or AS/NZS 62638.1 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment, Part 1: Safety requirements.
• Confirm there is a BMS integral to the batteries and BMS and batteries are tested to relevant safety standards such as IEC 62133.
• Ensure you have a technical construction file in an accessible location and keep it updated with updated test reports and documents whenever a modification is made to the design or components. A technical constriction file would include:
  • a supplier’s declaration of conformity (listing all the relevant safety standards that equipment has been tested to and by whom) and all declarations made and details of who made them (and their qualifications) – for all brands and models supplied
  • all safety related test reports and certifications
  • details of the battery design, type, chemicals, BMS and certifications,
  • software/firmware/hardware versions used
  • nameplate and rating details and layout
  • all documents, safety data sheets, specifications, component ratings,
  • circuit diagrams, detailed photographs (depicting external and internal layout and parts) to be able to identify the equipment is as per the equipment in the test reports
  • safe use instructions (for safe operation, maintenance requirements and safe charging processes)
  • details of any modifications made to the design or construction process, alternate components used or updated software/firmware and the evidence of testing to show continued safety compliance
  • details of ongoing quality assurance tests and inspections (details of testing/inspection regime, details of results and details of corrective actions taken for non-conformances found)
  • details of any electrical safety related complaints/incidents and reports on findings and actions undertaken from any report recommendations.
• Have a quality management system to check each shipment of scooters or battery-operated equipment and chargers:
  • comply to Australian safety standards (still complies with relevant Australian safety standards it was originally tested to, or complies with updated versions of those safety standards – with select samples being subject to inspection and some having tests applied where inspection may not identify a change/fault – such as resistance to flammability test, drop test, prevention of overcharging function etc)
    • pass standard routine tests for all samples selected for inspection (earthing check, insulation resistance /electric strength tests/functional operation and any interlock/safety function operate as required/expected
    • haven’t been modified
    • haven’t had parts substituted
    • do not have broken or cracked enclosures
    • haven’t been damaged in transit (internal or external damage)
    • have been checked to confirm they are the same design, construction, and components (from same component supplier as the originally tested units) as listed in the safety test reports you have).

Information for safe storage and safe charging where multiple devices may be stored/charged (e.g. schools, places of work, businesses):

Students, workers and visitors to facilities such as schools, places of work, businesses and places of interest may start to use electric bikes, scooters, skateboards and similar transport devices. Storing a large number of these devices together increases the potential safety risk that needs to be considered.

While storage and charging these battery-operated devices can be safely performed, individuals in control of these locations should consider the ways they provide storage and any charging facilities for these devices.

Consider the following when assessing storage and charging facilities for e-scooters, e-bikes and similar devices, where multiple units may be stored and charged:

1. Storage location:
   • Choose a cool, dry and sheltered location to store devices, while ensuring adequate ventilation.
   • Avoid placing storage areas near other buildings to prevent the spread of fire if there is an incident. Keep them away from children’s play areas and flammable materials.
2. Building type:
   • Where possible consider using concrete or brick buildings for storage rather than timber buildings as they pose less risk of the spread of fire if there is an incident.
   • Avoid using storage areas under the building to store and charge devices if there are important functions taking place above (do not store under school classrooms or under locations where flammable materials or work processes are likely to occur). If the functions being performed above the storage area are not considered critical and under-building storage and/or charging is used, consider the building material type or adding barriers to reduce the spread of fire should any incident occur. Also, consider additional safety control measures, including those suggested on this webpage.
3. Spacing and piling:
   • Arrange devices with sufficient spacing to prevent them from being piled up or stacked on top of each other. This will prevent the devices from overheating and reduce cascading effects if an incident occurs.
4. Charging controls:
   • Ensure all manufacturer-specified requirements for charging are met.
   • Make sure any chargers are compliant to Australian safety standards and have the RCM mark.
   • If charging during business, work or school hours, ensure the chargers match the specific device brand/model. Avoid using general chargers or allowing staff/students to swap chargers.
   • Don’t allow charging overnight or when the business/building is unoccupied (unless you have suitable safety requirements in place, including suitable locations/rooms, fire alarms and sprinklers).
   • Ensure the location is monitored if charging is occurring.
   • Prohibit charging of modified devices.
   • Regularly check for damage and avoid charging if any issues are identified.
   • Maintain clear spaces around charging e-bikes and e-scooters to prevent overheating.
5. Safety measures:
   • Install smoke detectors in the storage area and consider fire sprinkler systems.
   • Keep exits clear, particularly from the charging of devices.
   • Restrict access to the building or location where charging occurs.
   • Before accepting the devices for storing and/or charging, ensure the devices comply with the relevant safety standards.