A fire erupted at Rad Power Bikes' warehouse in Huntington Beach, California, just months after the CPSC warned consumers to stop using specific e-bike batteries due to fire risks. The blaze occurred as the company faces bankruptcy, unable to fund a full recall of the hazardous battery packs.

The CPSC cited 31 fire reports, with 12 causing property damage, noting some batteries ignited spontaneously in storage. Rad disagreed with the safety agency's assessment, arguing incident rates were below one percent and blaming user error. The company had proposed a discount on upgraded batteries instead of a costly recall.

This incident highlights the growing safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries in micromobility. Consumers should heed CPSC disposal instructions for affected Rad models. The future of the company, and the broader e-bike industry's approach to battery safety, remains uncertain as regulators and manufacturers grapple with these risks.