E-bike batteries are causing fires that have already destroyed $734,500 in property

A federal safety agency has issued a warning about a brand of e-bike batteries that can ignite and explode.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the lithium-ion batteries for Rad Power Bikes e-bikes “can unexpectedly ignite and explode, posing a fire hazard to consumers, especially when the battery or the harness has been exposed to water and debris."

The batteries in question have the model numbers RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304.

The CPSC said it is aware of 31 reports of fire, including 12 reports of property damage totaling approximately $734,500. Some of these incidents occurred when the battery was not charging, not in use and in storage.

The commission said owners should remove the batteries from the bikes and dispose of them according to local hazardous waste procedures