Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of rechargeable battery and are used in a wide range of electrical devices worldwide. The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of such batteries in the UK. The bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Redesdale (Liberal Democrat). The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 6 September 2024.
Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] (311 KB , PDF)
The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of lithium-ion batteries in the UK. Regulations made under the bill would be subject to the negative procedure, meaning they would remain in effect after being signed into law unless either House of Parliament passed a motion to cancel them within a set time period.
Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, meaning they can store a large amount of energy in a small volume, and a high power density, meaning they can support very high power demands. In addition, they can be charged hundreds to thousands of times and can be very light, which together with their high energy density make them useful for powering portable devices. They are also used on a larger scale as part of battery energy storage systems (BESS), which enable energy, including from renewable sources, to be stored and released when power is needed. However, while lithium-ion technology is generally safe, improper design, manufacturing and/or damage can lead to ‘thermal runaway’. This is one of the primary risks related to lithium-ion batteries, in which they enter an uncontrollable, self-heating state that can result in them ejecting gas, shrapnel and/or particulates and extremely high temperatures leading to fires.
The UK has seen an increasing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in e-scooters and e-bikes in particular, some of which have resulted in fatalities. In July 2023, Electrical Safety First, a charity that campaigns on electrical safety issues across the UK, published a report entitled ‘Battery breakdown’ that examined this issue and made recommendations for addressing the problem. It later published a draft bill similar in intent to the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL].
Following the July 2024 general election, the new Labour government included a commitment to introduce a Product Safety and Metrology Bill in the July 2024 King’s Speech. It said the bill would enable the UK to “address challenges” arising from technological advances “such as the fire risk associated with e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries”. Electrical Safety First welcomed the government’s proposals.
Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] (311 KB , PDF)
This briefing is the fifth of a series on the post-war history of the UK economy. The series proceeds decade-by-decade from the 1950s onwards, providing an overview of the key macroeconomic developments of each decade. This fifth briefing looks at the 1990s. In this decade the UK economy settled into a period of low inflation and steady growth; however, living standards growth was lower and more regionally concentrated than in previous decades.
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The new Labour government has committed to the expansion of offshore wind energy. This commitment has been welcomed by the offshore energy industry and by environmental organisations. However, concerns remain about how these plans might be achieved in practice while maintaining and improving the marine environment. This briefing considers some of the potential obstacles to achieving the expansion in offshore wind.
