E-Scooter and Hoverboard Battery Safety: How to Charge and Store Them Safely

Short answer: use the charger that came with your device, charge it on a hard surface away from exits while you're home and awake, unplug it when it's full, and store it somewhere cool and dry. Never charge a damaged, swollen or modified battery. If a battery starts smoking, hissing or popping, get out, close the door and call 000.

Why battery safety matters

Lithium-ion batteries power almost every e-scooter, e-bike and hoverboard. Used properly they're safe, but when one fails it can go into "thermal runaway": the cell heats itself, releasing toxic gases and flames that are very hard to put out. Queensland's fire service recorded 183 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in 2024. A Queensland coroner found that the most likely cause of a fatal fire in Logan was an incompatible e-scooter charger. In a firefighter demonstration in WA, an overheated scooter battery engulfed a room in about eight to ten minutes.

Charging: the 8 rules

1. Use the original charger, or a genuine replacement made for your model. Cheap universal chargers can deliver the wrong voltage.
2. Charge while you're home and awake. Don't charge overnight or while you're out.
3. Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface such as tiles or concrete, not on a bed, couch or carpet.
4. Keep it away from exits. Never charge in a hallway or next to the only door out. In apartments, don't charge in shared corridors or stairwells.
5. Let it cool after a ride before plugging in, and let it come to room temperature if it's been in the sun.
6. Unplug when it's full. Don't leave it on the charger for days.
7. Have a working smoke alarm in the room where you charge.
8. Plug straight into a wall socket, not a power board or extension lead.

Storage, especially in a Queensland summer

• Keep it cool and dry. Don't leave scooters or hoverboards in a hot car, in direct sun or on a hot verandah.
• Store it away from flammable things like paper, fuel and cleaning products. A garage is better than a bedroom, but keep it clear of the car and exits.
• Going away for weeks? Store it partly charged (many manufacturers suggest around half) and top it up every month or so. Check your manual for your model's advice.
• Keep it out of the rain and don't ride through deep water unless your device is rated for it.

Warning signs: stop using it

• The battery or casing is swollen, bulging, cracked or dented.
• It gets unusually hot while charging or riding.
• You notice a chemical or burning smell, hissing, popping or smoke.
• Range suddenly drops a lot, or the charger light behaves strangely.
• It's been dropped hard or crashed.

If you notice any of these, stop charging and using it, move it outside onto a hard surface if it's safe to do so, and contact the retailer or manufacturer.

If a battery catches fire

1. Get everyone out and close the door behind you.
2. Call 000.
3. Don't try to fight it or move it once it's burning. Lithium battery fires can reignite.

Don't modify it

Unlocking speed limits, fitting a bigger battery or swapping the controller adds stress the battery and wiring weren't designed for. In Queensland, a scooter that can go faster than 25 km/h is also banned from public places. See our 25 km/h compliance checklist.

Getting rid of an old battery

Never put lithium-ion batteries in household bins or recycling, where they can be crushed and start fires in trucks. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off point or your council's hazardous waste collection.

Buying safely

• Buy from an Australian retailer that can back up the warranty and supply genuine chargers and parts.
• Be wary of very cheap, unbranded batteries and chargers.
• Check the product page for battery specs and the charger included.

Gifting one this Christmas? Read our Christmas gift guide for kids and hoverboard first-ride guide. Charging off-grid? See our solar charging guide. More riding tips in 5 electric scooter safety tips.

FAQ

Can I charge my e-scooter overnight?

It's best not to. Charge while you're home and awake so you can react if something goes wrong.

Can I use a different charger?

Only a genuine replacement made for your model. An incompatible charger is a known cause of battery fires.

Is it safe to charge in a garage?

A garage can be a good choice if the device is on a hard surface, away from flammable items and exits, and there's a smoke alarm. Don't leave it charging unattended.

How long do e-scooter batteries last?

It depends on the battery and how it's treated. Avoiding heat, deep discharges and constant full charges helps it last longer.

Sources: Fire Protection Association Australia submission to the Queensland e-mobility inquiry; firefighter charging demonstration, The West.