Lithium battery safety is now the sharpest edge of the e-bike market. Several battery-related recalls are current on the ACCC Product Safety register, including the Santa Cruz Heckler 9, whose interchangeable 720W battery carries a short-circuit fire risk after four reported fires, and the Mamba Sahara, flagged for cells that can spontaneously combust. Fire and Rescue NSW has separately marked its 100th e-bike battery fire.
The new label rule
From February 2026, every e-bike sold in Australia must carry a permanent certification label on the frame. The penalties for getting it wrong are serious: up to $825,000 for a corporation selling non-compliant product. It is a direct response to the flood of cheap, uncertified battery systems that have driven the fire numbers.
- Check for the certification label on the frame before you buy, especially on direct-import bargains
- Charge and store the battery away from doorways and exit paths, and never charge it overnight while asleep
- Buy the battery and charger as a matched, certified pair, not a cheap third-party swap
Sources
- Bicycle Network, e-bike battery failure recall
- ACCC, lithium-ion battery safety warning
- Fire and Rescue NSW, 100th e-bike battery fire
Recall and regulatory detail as reported by the sources above, current as at late July 2026.