eBay will crack down on the sale of e-bikes and e-bike batteries in the UK from October 31, the BBC has learned.
The company says only “eligible business sellers” will be allowed to list them after this date.
He did not explain what the necessary criteria would be.
E-bikes, which feature electric-assist pedals and are battery-powered, have grown in popularity, but incidents involving battery fires have also increased.
The London Fire Brigade recently said it had recorded 155 e-bike fires in 2023, an increase of 78% on the previous year.
The brigade has warned e-bike users to check their batteries after batteries were officially classified as “dangerous” products by the UK regulator.
In June, a coroner also called on the government to act after the death of a man whose house caught fire when an electric bike battery he was charging overheated and burst into flames.
“Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay,” an eBay spokesperson said Tuesday.
Earlier this year, it announced it would also audit sellers to ensure they had CE marking for safety documentation for listed e-bike products.
A quick look at the eBay platform reveals almost 3,000 used electric bikes currently for sale in the UK.
The charity Electrical Safety First said it welcomed the company's policy change.
But he suggests new laws are also needed because of the fire risks posed by vehicles.
“While this voluntary decision is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to be legally obliged to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of products sold through their sites,” a spokesperson said.
The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently going through Parliament, could potentially implement this measure in the future.
