Chargers marketed as “universal” or suitable for general categories of micromobility devices may fit into your device but still be incompatible with it. Each micromobility battery has specific charging needs that require the use of a compatible charger. Chargers with descriptions such as “suitable for use with e-bikes” or “suitable for use with X brand e-bikes” may be incompatible with your device. Using an incompatible charger can cause the battery to ignite and result in a serious fire. Between January 1, 2023 and May 16, 2024, CPSC received 156 reports of fire and thermal incidents involving “universal” chargers for micromobility products, including reports of serious injuries and property damage. On September 5, 2024, CPSC issued a press release warning the public of the fire hazard posed by certain makes and models of these chargers.
Use only the charger provided with your micromobility device. If you do not have the charger that was provided with your device, you can contact the manufacturer of your device for information about compatible replacement chargers. Before buying or using a replacement charger, make sure it has been tested and approved to work safely with your device. Do not use a charger that came with another micromobility device without confirming compatibility.
To further lower the risk of fire, take the following steps when charging your micromobility product with the correct charger:
- Unplug the charger from the micromobility device when the charge cycle is complete. Do not leave the charger plugged into the device for long periods of time.
- Always be present when charging micromobility products, and never charge them while you are sleeping.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on how often you should charge your battery if you are not regularly using your micromobility device.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using SafPow SPC-42020 and AMPOWSURE ASP-C10S42020 battery chargers because they pose a risk of serious injury and death.
SafPow and AMPOWSURE have refused to conduct a recall.
The defective chargers are sold for charging 36-volt lithium batteries in micromobility products. Although the chargers are marketed as “universal” for broad categories of micromobility products, they are not “universal” and can be incompatible with some of the products for which they are advertised. Using these chargers with an incompatible battery can cause the connected battery to ignite. CPSC has received 47 reports of fire or other thermal incidents involving the chargers, including three reports of burn and smoke inhalation injuries and three reports of property damage totaling $100,200. Consumers should immediately dispose of these products.
The defective chargers are black and have either the brand name “SafPow” with the model number “SPC-42020,” or the brand name “AMPOWSURE” with the model number “ASP-C10S42020” printed on a label on the charger. The chargers have been sold on Amazon.com and eBay.com from January 2021 to the present for between $10 and $31.
Report a hazardous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.