- 81% say headlines about battery fires are putting them off owning an e‑bike
- 87% of potential e-bike purchasers would use them to replace some car journeys
- 37% of the UK public is interested in purchasing an e-bike
A major new survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals that concerns about battery fires are the biggest factor holding back e‑bike adoption despite their strong interest in using an e‑bikes to replace everyday car journeys and reduce their carbon footprint.
The research, commissioned by BatteryIQ, shows that 37% of the UK public is interested in owning an e‑bike, but widespread anxiety about battery safety is preventing many from taking the next step.
The research shows that e‑bikes could meaningfully reduce car dependency if safety concerns can be addressed.
87% of people interested in e-bike ownership say it would replace some car journeys.
59% of people interested in an e-bike say it would replace all journeys under 5 miles.
However, concerns about e-bike battery safety are putting people off switching to e-mobility:
75% of people were aware that e‑bike batteries can cause fires.
81% say headlines about battery fires are putting them off owning an e‑bike.
Nearly half (48%) say such headlines put them off significantly.
The survey highlights that battery safety is the most powerful psychological barrier to e‑bike adoption, ahead of cost, weather, or cycling infrastructure and that battery‑safety anxiety is not just a consumer issue; it is slowing down a potential shift toward cleaner, lower‑emission transport.
This suggests strong demand for transparent, proactive safety technology and a willingness to pay for it.
Nick Bailey of BatteryIQ, which provides a system to continuously monitor the safety of e-bike batteries, said “e-bike batteries involved in fires are generally low-cost, low-quality products lacking basic safety protection, or are bodged-together DIY batteries.
“Despite fires in good-quality batteries being rare, fears about them are very real and it’s slowing down a major shift toward cleaner, healthier transport.
“This research shows there is high demand for e-mobility in the UK, but that consumers want reassurance, transparency, and smarter safety technology. BatteryIQ gives riders confidence by monitoring battery health in real time and alerting them to issues before they become dangerous.”
Despite their concerns, the public is open to reassurance, with 34% saying they would feel safer if their e-bike had a connected smart battery that could detect and alert them to potential issues.
51% would pay over £50 extra for a battery with a significantly reduced chance of catching fire.
