NSW closes loophole to stamp out fires caused by substandard lithium-ion batteries in ebikes and scooters

New rules declaring the popular devices a form of transport mean the batteries must meet strict international product standards

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New South Wales is cracking down on the sale of some ebikes and e-scooters in a nationwide first aimed at reducing the scourge of battery-related fires, while pushing for a nationally coordinated approach to the growing problem.

Low quality ebikes and e-scooters have contributed to a spate of fires across the country, with lithium-ion batteries now the fastest growing cause of fires in the state.

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