Can electric bike batteries explode?

Can electric bike batteries explode?

Electric bicycle batteries have the potential to explode.

Lead-acid Batteries – Can electric bike batteries explode

Lead-acid batteries are relatively stable, but problems may also occur in some extreme situations. For example, when a lead-acid battery is overcharged, a large amount of hydrogen and oxygen will be generated inside the battery. If the vent holes of the battery are blocked and the gases cannot be discharged normally, the internal pressure of the battery will rise sharply. When the pressure exceeds the limit that the battery casing can withstand, it may lead to the rupture of the battery casing or even an explosion. However, this situation rarely occurs in lead-acid batteries under normal use and maintenance, as lead-acid batteries have a sound venting design to prevent gas accumulation.

Lithium-ion Batteries – Can electric bike batteries explode

Lithium-ion batteries have a relatively higher risk of explosion. The chemical substances inside lithium-ion batteries are highly reactive and are prone to causing explosions under various improper circumstances.

Thermal Runaway – Can electric bike batteries explode:

If lithium-ion batteries are placed in a high-temperature environment for a long time or the heat dissipation is poor during charging, the internal temperature of the battery will continue to rise. When the temperature reaches a certain level, it will trigger a series of chemical reactions inside the battery to intensify. For example, the electrolyte inside the battery will decompose, generating a large amount of flammable gases, and at the same time, the positive and negative electrode materials of the battery will also undergo violent reactions. This chain reaction is called thermal runaway. Once thermal runaway occurs, the internal pressure of the battery increases rapidly and may eventually lead to an explosion.

Short Circuit – Can electric bike batteries explode:

Internal short circuit of lithium-ion batteries is another important reason for explosions. Internal short circuits may be caused by quality problems during the battery production process. For example, there are flaws in the separator between the electrodes, causing the positive and negative electrodes to come into direct contact. It may also be due to external factors, such as the battery being subjected to a strong impact, puncture, or the use of a mismatched charger resulting in overcharging of the battery. These situations can cause the internal current of the battery to increase instantaneously, generating a large amount of heat and triggering an explosion.