Fire Hazard Warning Issued for Rad Power Bikes' Lithium-Ion Batteries

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning regarding lithium-ion batteries used in certain e-bikes manufactured by Rad Power Bikes, citing a significant fire hazard that poses risks of serious injury or death. The batteries, identified by model numbers RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304, have been linked to 31 reported incidents of fire, including 12 cases of property damage totaling approximately $734,500. Notably, some fires occurred even when the batteries were not in use or charging, raising concerns about their safety during storage.

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Rad Power Bikes has declined to offer full replacements or refunds for all affected batteries, citing financial constraints that could jeopardize the company's operations. In a statement, Rad Power expressed disappointment over the inability to reach a resolution with the CPSC, emphasizing that complying with the recall demand would threaten the company's viability. The company has urged customers to inspect their batteries and cease use if any signs of damage, water ingress, or corrosion are detected.

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The CPSC has characterized the situation as a "public health and safety finding," emphasizing the need for consumers to stop using the hazardous batteries immediately. The agency has advised that these batteries should not be disposed of in standard recycling or trash bins but rather taken to municipal household hazardous waste collection centers for proper disposal.

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Rad Power Bikes has publicly disagreed with the CPSC's assessment, asserting that their batteries comply with "the highest industry standards." The company claims that the incident rate associated with the batteries is a fraction of one percent, although they acknowledge that even one incident is concerning. Rad Power has proposed alternative solutions to address the CPSC's concerns, including upgrading customers to newer battery models not subject to the warning, but these proposals were rejected by the agency.

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• “The hazardous batteries can unexpectedly ignite and explode, posing a fire hazard to consumers, especially when the battery or the harness has been exposed to water and debris,” — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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• “Rad is disappointed that it could not reach a resolution that best serves our riders and the industry at large.” — Rad Power Bikes

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• “firmly stands behind our batteries and our reputation as leaders in the ebike industry, and strongly disagrees with the CPSC’s characterization of certain Rad batteries as defective or unsafe.” — Rad Power Bikes

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As the situation develops, Rad Power Bikes faces potential operational challenges, including the possibility of shutting down in January if new funding is not secured. The CPSC continues to monitor the situation and urges consumers to stay informed about the safety of their e-bike batteries.

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