eBay will ban the sale of e-bikes and e-bike batteries in the UK from October 31, the BBC has learned.
The company says only “qualified business sellers” can list these products after this date.
It does not explain what the necessary criteria are.
E-bikes with electric assist pedals and battery power are growing in popularity, but there has also been an increase in accidents involving battery fires.
The London Fire Brigade recently stated There were 155 e-bike fires recorded in 2023, a 78% increase on the previous year.
UK regulators are warning e-bike users to check their batteries after their battery packs were officially classified as a “dangerous” product.
In June, the coroner also called on the government to take action A man has died after a fire started at his home when his e-bike battery pack overheated while charging and caught fire.
“Consumer safety is eBay’s top priority,” an eBay spokesperson said Tuesday.
Earlier this year, the company said it would also audit sellers to ensure they have CE marking for safety documentation for listed e-bike products.
A quick look at the eBay platform shows that there are nearly 3,000 second-hand e-bikes currently for sale in the UK.
Charity Electrical Safety First said it welcomed the company’s policy change.
But it shows new laws are also needed because of the fire safety risks posed by the vehicles.
A spokesman said: “While this voluntary move is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to have legal obligations to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of products sold through their websites.”
The Product Stewardship and Metrology Bill, currently before Parliament, may become mandatory in the future.
