CPSC Issues Urgent Safety Warning Against Rad Power Bikes’ E-Bike Batteries#
- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an urgent warning to consumers to immediately stop using specific lithium-ion batteries found in several Rad Power Bikes e-bike models due to risks of ignition and explosion, posing a significant fire hazard.
- The warning specifically applies to battery model numbers HL-RP-S1304 or RP-1304, which were sold as replacements and with various e-bike models including RadWagon 4, RadCity HS 4, RadRover High Step 5, RadCity Step Thru 3, RadRover Step Thru 1, RadRunner 2, RadRunner 1, RadRunner Plus, and RadExpand 5.
- According to the CPSC, Rad Power Bikes “has refused to agree to an acceptable recall” for these batteries, despite receiving at least 31 reports of fire incidents, including 12 reports of property damage totaling approximately $734,500.
- Rad Power Bikes vehemently disputes the CPSC’s characterization, asserting that their batteries comply with the highest industry standards (UL-2271 and UL-2849) and that an “all-or-nothing” recall demand would impose such a significant cost that it would force the company to shut down immediately.
- The company highlighted its past cooperation with the CPSC, including offering consumers discounted upgrades to its newer “Rad Safe Shield” batteries, and reiterated that all lithium-ion batteries pose a fire risk if improperly handled or exposed to significant water.
- This CPSC warning adds a critical burden to Rad Power Bikes’ already precarious financial situation; the company recently disclosed it was struggling to survive and faced the danger of shutting down by early January 2025. The CPSC’s urgent warning against Rad Power Bikes highlights a burgeoning concern within the micro-mobility sector regarding lithium-ion battery safety. Incidents of e-bike and e-scooter battery fires, particularly in densely populated urban areas like New York City, have prompted increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies and media attention. For Rad Power Bikes, a former “unicorn” startup that leveraged massive pandemic-era demand for e-bikes, this safety dispute delivers a profound blow to an already precarious financial situation. It underscores the immense pressure on manufacturers to balance rapid innovation and market demand with stringent safety protocols, especially when dealing with powerful energy sources like e-bike batteries, affecting both consumer trust and the wider industry’s reputation. The standoff between Rad Power Bikes and the CPSC signals a pivotal moment for both the company’s survival and the future of e-bike safety regulations. Should Rad fail to reach an acceptable agreement or be unable to withstand the CPSC’s pressure, it could face a forced shutdown, leaving many customers without support and potentially tarnishing its brand irreparably. Conversely, the CPSC’s firm stance reinforces its commitment to consumer protection, potentially paving the way for more rigorous, mandatory safety standards for e-bike batteries across the entire industry. This episode serves as a stark reminder that even with independent testing and claims of compliance, manufacturers must be prepared for unforeseen challenges and proactively collaborate with regulators to ensure public safety and maintain market viability.