The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a severe warning to owners of Rad Power Bikes’ e-bikes, stating that certain batteries used in the bikes “pose a risk of serious injury and death.” The agency is urging all owners to stop using the affected batteries immediately.
According to the CPSC, the batteries have been linked to 31 fire incidents, including 12 cases of property damage. Alarmingly, some fires occurred even when the batteries were not being charged. The agency says the hazard increases when batteries or wiring harnesses come into contact with water or debris.
“The hazardous batteries can unexpectedly ignite and explode,” the CPSC wrote in its Monday advisory.
The warning comes at a critical moment for Rad Power, which recently informed employees it may shut down in January if it fails to secure new funding. The CPSC also claimed the company refused to agree to an acceptable recall, saying Rad Power told regulators it cannot afford the costs of replacing or refunding all affected batteries.
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Rad Power disputed the agency’s stance, saying it “strongly disagrees” with the characterization of its batteries as defective. The company says it offered multiple compromise solutions, including upgrading customers to its newest battery models, which are not covered by the warning. But the CPSC rejected those proposals.
“The significant cost of the all-or-nothing demand would force Rad to shut its doors immediately,” the company said, arguing that it must remain operational to support customers and employees.
Rad Power maintained that the batteries meet “the highest industry standards,” and said incidents represent “a fraction of one percent.” Still, the company acknowledged that “even one incident is too many.”
Affected owners can check the CPSC’s website to determine whether their battery model is included in the advisory. The agency also warned customers not to dispose of the lithium-ion batteries in household trash or standard recycling bins. Instead, they should be taken to municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection centers for safe handling.
