- Published:
- Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at 3:46 pm
Victorians are being urged to ditch incompatible e-ride chargers after two people were injured in a South Melbourne apartment fire last week sparked by unsafe e-scooter charging.
Energy Safe Victoria is investigating the incident following a report from Fire Rescue Victoria who responded to the blaze, which left one resident with significant burns to their feet and legs and another with smoke inhalation.
Firefighters extinguished the 12th-story fire around 6:30 am on Tuesday 20 May, before discovering at least three e-scooters and e-bikes inside the property, including one connected to the incompatible charger identified as the cause of the fire.
“While thankfully no one was seriously injured in this incident, it is a timely reminder of just how quickly a house fire can ignite when owners use incompatible battery chargers for their e-rides,” Energy Safe Victoria CEO Leanne Hughson said.
E-bikes and e-scooters most commonly use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These batteries contain technology that communicates with the charger to monitor how the charge is progressing and alerts it to stop charging when full. By using a charger that isn’t compatible with the battery it can’t tell the charger to stop charging and can cause thermal runaway.
“Compatibility is crucial for safe charging and to reduce the risk of sparking a lithium-ion battery fire.”
Energy Safe’s Before You Know it campaign is raising public awareness about the misuse of lithium-ion batteries and providing education on the importance of using compatible chargers recommended or provided by the manufacturer.
It’s important to know how to manage the risks when charging lithium-ion batteries, such as:
- Purchase products from reputable suppliers and only use chargers supplied or recommended by the manufacturer. Don’t buy from cheap, unknown online sources.
- Monitor devices while charging and unplug when battery is fully charged.
- Charge batteries on non-flammable surfaces and keep them away from bedrooms and exits.
- Stop using the battery if you notice any strong odours, colour change, extreme heat, change in shape, leaking or unusual sounds, such as popping or hissing.
- In event of fire, call Triple Zero (000) and evacuate immediately.
More information on safe charging for lithium-ion batteries is available on the Energy Safe Victoria website: www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/battery-safety.
Energy Safe. Always.
Media contact: April Dudgeon | 0498 188 117 | media@energysafe.vic.gov.au
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