The increasing prevalence of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries is becoming a growing global concern. People are worried about the potential safety threats posed by devices such as electric cars, e-bikes, laptop chargers, and power banks at homes, workplaces, and during travels.
Fires involving lithium batteries are usually hard to extinguish using conventional firefighting methods. At the same time, it is expected that the global demand for lithium-ion batteries will significantly increase between 2025 and 2030.
Matt Humby, a senior technical consultant at Firechief Global, expressed in an interview with The Epoch Times that he believes governments and international regulatory bodies have not fully realized the dangers posed by lithium batteries.
“While awareness is increasing, regulatory actions lag behind the rate of lithium-ion battery fires,” Humby said. “Many industry organizations often react passively rather than proactively and lack global consistency in standards and enforcement.”
However, Grant Gibbs, manager of energy storage business development at TÜV SÜD, stated that the United Nations as well as international standardization organizations, governments, and regulatory bodies worldwide are “very aware of the potential risks posed by lithium batteries.”
He mentioned that organizations like the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are revising and expanding requirements for testing, transportation, and disposal of lithium batteries to ensure “global consistency in safety and sustainability.”
On September 24, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States released new safety guidelines stating that devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium-ion batteries, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and laptops, must be carried on board during flights.
“If these devices must be checked, they should be completely powered off to prevent accidental activation and properly packaged to prevent damage,” the FAA stated.
In 2024, there were a total of 89 incidents of lithium battery smoking, catching fire, or generating high temperatures on airplanes. By the end of August this year, there were 61 similar incidents reported.
On January 28, 2025, a Busan Air flight in South Korea was engulfed in flames on the runway of Busan Airport. Preliminary investigation results indicated that shortly before takeoff, a power bank inside an overhead luggage compartment caught fire.
All 170 passengers and 6 crew members on board were evacuated, with 3 people sustaining severe injuries and 24 others with minor injuries.
“The Busan Air incident shows that situations can rapidly worsen. Without stricter regulations and better passenger safety education, in-flight fires remain a real risk,” Humby stated. “Many airlines have banned power banks, but I believe the aviation industry needs to further examine this fire hazard.”
“They only realized the severity of the problem when airplane fires occurred,” Humby pointed out.
Several airlines responded swiftly after the Busan incident.
Southwest Airlines informed The Epoch Times that since May 28, 2025, passengers must keep their power banks visible when in use.
Emirates has prohibited the use of power banks inflight since October 1, 2025, and required them not to be stored in overhead bins; Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, China Airlines, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific have implemented similar measures from March to April this year.
American Airlines has established detailed regulations, only banning high-capacity power banks, while Delta Airlines allows passengers to carry lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of no more than 160 watt-hours.
Gibbs stated, “The measures currently taken by airlines such as restricting power bank usage, requiring them to be carried on board, and limiting charging during flights have indeed reduced the likelihood of accidents.”
However, Gibbs also noted that lithium battery fires are a “systemic issue” that cannot be completely avoided solely through airline restriction measures.
“These fires are influenced by multiple factors such as product quality, user behavior, regulatory enforcement, and the aircraft systems themselves,” he said.
As early as 2016, the United Nations agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), announced a ban on carrying lithium batteries in checked baggage. Pilots and aircraft manufacturers had previously warned about the safety risks of lithium batteries.
The ICAO Council of 36 Member States stated that the ban would remain in effect until new fireproof packaging standards for lithium battery transport are designed.
“Although the ICAO initially envisioned developing a ‘fireproof packaging’ standard, there is still no verified and globally adopted solution,” Gibbs mentioned, pointing out that current regulations mainly reduce risks through strict transportation conditions.
Humby stated that achieving truly fireproof packaging is extremely challenging due to “the intensity of thermal runaway.” While some small fireproof containers have been developed, “relying solely on packaging is only part of many measures needed, along with broader risk management approaches.”
On December 21, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued the final rule on the safe transport of lithium batteries for cargo aircraft, effective from January 20, 2023.
It cannot be denied that rechargeable batteries bring many benefits. In 2019, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to scientists John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino for their contributions to the development of lithium-ion batteries.
Goodenough’s award citation stated, “Storing electrical energy in batteries is a key factor in solving global energy supply issues. The element lithium became an ideal battery material due to its ability to release electrons.”
However, the risk of lithium battery fires still persists.
In June 2023, a fire broke out at an electric bike shop in New York City, spreading to an upstairs apartment and resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including two children.
“For years, we have known that lithium-ion batteries pose risks, so fire risk assessments must be included. The good news is that compared to three years ago, the situation has improved significantly. Awareness is increasing now, but there is still much work to be done. Education is key,” Humby said.