Source: ZAG Daily

Lithium-ion batteries used in rental e-bikes across the UK are increasingly being targeted by thieves. Several TikTok videos have surfaced showing individuals how to remove the glued-on battery cases, which are later sold online or repurposed to convert traditional bicycles into electric bikes using conversion kits.

Zag Daily’s Editor, Ben Hubbard, told The Times that battery theft has become a more “organised and calculated” issue for micromobility providers in recent years. “The cells are highly valuable,” he said. “Operators need reporting on battery theft to lead to convictions so people don’t think it’s a free-for-all.” Despite this, successful prosecutions remain rare.

The financial impact on operators can be significant. In Liverpool, micromobility company Voi reported losses exceeding £500,000 after 700 e-scooter batteries were stolen two years ago. In London, Forest experiences an average of 10 battery thefts per month, retrieving roughly half.

Battery theft reduces the number of available vehicles, affecting overall fleet utilisation and operational efficiency.

To combat theft, operators are adopting various preventative measures. These include placing security stickers on bikes, locating parking zones in well-lit, CCTV-monitored areas, and installing trackers inside batteries. French battery manufacturer Gouach has trialled a geolocation system that detects unusual battery movements. Their batteries also include cryptographic chips, which prevent them from functioning in non-affiliated vehicles.

Forest stated that their batteries are intentionally difficult to access. They are encased in a thick adhesive that hardens into a cake-like substance, which protects the cells and reduces the risk of fire.

Some companies have explored more aggressive deterrents. Irish operator Zeus considered using dye packs that would stain thieves, though the idea was ultimately rejected due to safety concerns during routine battery swaps.

UK-based operator Beryl reports fewer issues with theft, attributing this to its integrated battery design. “our batteries are designed to be robust and are very difficult to break into should they ever be stolen. The cells are encased in a thick glue which forms a cake-like substance which means they are hard to access and protects the cells against a fire.” said Tom White, Beryl’s Micromobility Planner. He added that the company also uses CCTV footage to support monitoring and theft prevention efforts.