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Avanti West Coast is the latest rail operator to ban e-scooters on its services.
From 27th December 2022, e-scooters will no longer be permitted across its network due to concerns over battery safety.
In late 2021, Transport for London (TfL) announced it would be banning e-scooters and e-unicycles across its network, following a series of incidents on its services caused by defective lithium-ion batteries. Avanti West Coast is the latest public transport provider to follow suit.
Dave Whitehouse, safety and security director at Avanti West Coast, said: “At Avanti West Coast the safety of our staff and customers comes first.
“The risks associated with e-scooters are a significant concern and are why we’re banning them at our stations and onboard our trains. This temporary ban is to preserve the safety of our colleagues and customers until there is greater regulation on e-scooters. We ask our customers to adhere to these new rules and be kind to our staff helping to enforce them, so we can keep everyone safe.”
Avanti West Coast, which operates services from London to the Midlands, Manchester, and Scotland, as well as managing 16 stations.
The operator said lithium-ion batteries can produce a vapour of toxic gases and lead to a fire or a risk of explosion, if damaged or overheated.
This policy covers both e-scooters and hoverboard, while mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban.
A number of high-profile fires involving micromobility products has resulted in increased scrutiny on manufacturers.
In the US, product safety authority has written to thousands of e-bike and e-scooter manufacturers, urging them to adhere to battery safety standards.
Following a number of reports of fires caused by micromobility products in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has written to more than 2,000 manufacturers and importers of micromobility products, urging them to review their product lines.
The CPSC received reports of at least 208 micromobility fire or overheating incidents from 1st January to 28th November 2022, in 39 states, resulting in at least 19 fatalities.
Read more: Paris mayor could ban rental e-scooters, according to report
Of these incidents, five were associated with e-scooters, 11 with hoverboards, and three with e-bikes.
