The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning linking some Rad Power Bikes electric bike batteries to fires, stating they “pose a risk of serious injury and death”.
The batteries can “unexpectedly ignite and explode” especially when the battery or the harness has been exposed to water or debris, according to the CPSC, adding that it is aware of 31 reports of fire, including 12 reports of property damage totalling approximately $734,500.
The CPSC says: “Some of these incidents occurred when the battery was not charging, the product was not in use, and the product was in storage.”
Rad Power Bikes issued a statement in response to the CPSC’s warning, refuting the claims and stating that it “firmly stands behind” its batteries.
The CPSC says the affected batteries were sold with the following Rad Power Bikes electric bikes:
- RadWagon 4
- RadCity HS 4
- RadRover High Step 5
- RadCity Step Thru 3
- RadRover Step Thru 1
- RadRunner 2
- RadRunner 1
- Radrunner Plus
- RadExpand 5
The batteries were also sold as replacement models. They have the battery model number HL-RP-S1304 or RP-1304, which is printed on a label on the back or rear of the ebike battery.
CPSC urges consumers to remove the battery from the electric bike and dispose of the battery following local hazardous waste disposal procedures. “Do not sell or give away these hazardous batteries,” it adds.
Rad Power Bikes has refused to agree to a recall and is unable to offer replacement batteries or refunds due to its financial situation.
The Seattle-based company filed a Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the Washington state regulators just last week, as part of an “advance written notice of a potential cessation of operations that could occur as early as January 2026,” a spokesperson told Geekwire.
The shutdown would affect 64 jobs at the company’s headquarters, including the CEO and CFO, but Rad Power Bikes said no final decision has been made and that it is seeking buyers and investors to continue operating.
In its statement in response to the CPSC warning, Rad Power Bikes said: “Reputable, independent third-party labs tested Rad’s batteries, both as part of our typical product testing and again during the CPSC investigation, and confirmed compliance with the highest industry standards. Our understanding is that the CPSC does not dispute the conclusions of these tests. It is also our understanding that the battery itself was not independently examined per industry-accepted test standards.”
“The incident rate associated with the batteries in the CPSC’s notice is a fraction of one per cent. While that number is low, we know even one incident is one too many, and we are heartbroken by any report involving our products.
“It is also widely understood that all lithium-ion batteries – whether in ebikes, e-scooters, laptops, or power tools – can pose a fire risk if damaged, improperly charged, exposed to excess moisture, subjected to extreme temperatures or improper modifications to the electrical components, all of which Rad repeatedly advises against in user manuals and customer safety guides. Contrary to the CPSC's statement, mere exposure to water and debris does not create a hazard; rather, significant water exposure, as warned against in our manuals, can pose a hazard,” the statement continued.
