Customers

Electric and Mobility Vehicle Safety

28 January 2025
2 mins

Following a shocking 160% rise in electric vehicle and e-scooter battery fires over the past year (source: Landlord Licensing and Defence), with fire services responding to 390 incidents between 2022-23 (compared to 753 between 2017-2021), we are launching a campaign to raise awareness of mobility vehicle safety among our customers.

This initiative aims to ensure customers understand their responsibilities regarding the use, storage, and management of battery-powered scooters, wheelchairs, and e-bikes.

As landlords, we have a duty of care to ensure these vehicles are used safely within our buildings. To support this, we’re providing advice on vehicle types, their permitted use, and the importance of insurance.

Mobility vehicles vary widely in size and functionality, including Class 1 (manual wheelchairs), Class 2 (powered wheelchairs and scooters for indoor use and pavements with a maximum speed of 4 mph), and Class 3 (vehicles that can be used on pavements up to 4 mph and highways up to 8 mph).

Some of our schemes offer designated storage and charging facilities for mobility vehicles to ensure they are stored safely and not left in communal areas such as corridors or stairwells, which could block escape routes and create fire hazards. Vehicles stored outside should be at least six metres away from buildings to reduce fire risks.

Customers who own mobility or electric vehicles are advised to have appropriate public liability insurance, which covers negligence, and to ensure vehicles undergo annual safety checks.

Sarah Sutton, Director of New Customers and Specialist Housing, said: “We have updated our Mobility Vehicles Policy to help keep customers safe in their homes. With many retirement schemes, bungalows, and apartments, it’s important to raise awareness of the safety measures we need to follow.”

Mark Bell, Director of Building Safety, added: “For those living in apartment blocks, it’s essential to keep corridors and stairwells clear of electric scooters and e-bikes to ensure safe evacuation in the event of a fire.”