The CPSC warns that Rad Power Bikes batteries pose a fire hazard and should not be used

The US Consumer Safety Commission issued a stark warning about… Rad Power Bikese-bike batteries on Monday, linking them to dozens of fires, saying they “pose a risk of serious injury and death.”

The agency says batteries can “ignite and explode unexpectedly,” especially when water or debris seeps into the cells or belt. The CPSC says there were 31 fires, including 12 reports of property damage totaling $734,500, some of which occurred when the battery was not charged and the bike was in storage or not in use. No injuries were reported as a result of the fires.

The following models are included in the CPSC warning: RadWagon 4, RadCity HS 4, RadRover High Step 5, RadCity Step Thru 3, RadRover Step Thru 1, RadRunner 2, RadRunner 1, RadRunner Plus, RadExpand 5. According to the agency, the battery model number (HL-RP-S1304 or RP-1304) on a label on the front or back. From the battery. All batteries are manufactured in China.

Rad Power Bikes has refused to agree to an acceptable recall, CPSC says in its statement. “Due to its financial condition, Rad Power Bikes has indicated to the CPSC that it is unable to provide replacement batteries or refunds to all consumers.”

The Seattle-based company, which is one of the leading e-bike sellers in North America, has fallen on hard times recently, in the wake of the post-Covid bike boom. Rad Power Bikes is currently facing “significant financial challenges” that could lead to its imminent closure without a cash infusion, GeekWire I mentioned Earlier this month.

Poorly made e-bike batteries have been implicated in several fatal fires across the US and UK in recent years. In New York City alone, where tens of thousands of delivery workers ride e-bikes every day, dozens of people have been killed in fires linked to faulty lithium-ion batteries.

But even though Rad Power Bikes was not involved in any fires that resulted in injuries or deaths, the company was aware that the perception of defective batteries could certainly hurt its business. last year, Rad Power Bikes has introduced new batteries with thermal resistance technology Designed to prevent fires. The company injects epoxy resin into the battery cells, which prevents a chemical reaction in the battery that could cause it to heat up to the point of explosion, also known as thermal runaway.

Rad Power Bikes has taken other safety steps as well, including switching to 21,700 cells (21 mm in diameter and 70 mm in length) from 18650 cells For its batteries and compliance UL safety certification For both its bikes and its batteries.

Reached for comment, Kelsey Wolfe, Rad Power Bikes’ director of brand marketing and communications, said the company “strongly disagrees” with the CPSC’s characterization of its batteries as defective or unsafe. Independent tests have confirmed that Rad batteries meet industry safety standards, she said, noting that the CSPC does not dispute these findings.

“The battery-related accident rate cited in the CPSC notice is a fraction of one percent,” Wolf said in a statement. “While this number is low, we know that one incident is one too many, and we are deeply saddened by any report involving our products.”

She said Rad Power Bikes is committed to working with the CPSC to address her concerns. The company offered “multiple good-faith solutions,” including offering its customers the opportunity to upgrade to new heat-resistant batteries at a discount — but the CPSC rejected that solution.

“The significant cost of an all-or-nothing order will force Rad to close its doors immediately, leaving no way to support our riders or employees,” Wolf said.