31 Oct eBay to restrict electric bikes and batteries from today

According to the BBC, eBay will impose new restrictions on the sale of electric bikes (e-bikes) and their batteries in the UK from today, 31 October.

Following on from mounting cases all around the world, only ‘eligible business sellers’ will be permitted to list e-bike products on the platform. However, eBay has yet to disclose the specific criteria that sellers must meet to qualify as eligible.

The popularity of e-bikes, which operate with battery-powered, electrically-assisted pedals, has surged in recent years. However, the rise in usage has been accompanied by a worrying increase in battery-related fire incidents.

An eBay spokesperson said on Tuesday: “Consumer safety is a top priority for eBay.”

“As this voluntary move is welcome, we continue to call for online marketplaces to be legally obligated to take reasonable steps to ensure products sold via their sites are safe,” an Electrical Safety First spokesperson stated.

Will this migrate to the Middle East amid growing cases of fire hazards?