The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a major warning telling people to stop using certain Rad Power Bikes batteries because they can catch fire or explode.
The agency said the batteries pose a risk of serious injury or even death and should be removed from bikes right away.
CBS News reported that the warning covers lithium-ion battery models RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304, which were sold with several of Rad Power Bikes' most popular e-bike models.
The CPSC said the batteries are especially dangerous when they come into contact with water or debris, and the agency is urging owners to follow local rules for safe disposal. The agency also said Rad Power Bikes has not agreed to issue a recall.
According to the CPSC, there have been 31 reports of fires involving these batteries. Twelve of those fires caused property damage, adding up to more than $734,000.
Some fires even happened when the battery wasn't charging or when the bike wasn't being used. That detail especially worried investigators.
Rad Power Bikes strongly disagrees with the federal warning. The company said in a statement, "Rad Power Bikes firmly stands behind our batteries... and strongly disagrees with the CPSC's characterization of certain Rad batteries as defective or unsafe."
The company added that its batteries are tested in independent labs and meet international safety standards.
Yep, fancy Chinese e-bikes sold in the states will end you, your house and your family if you're not careful https://t.co/1a7Ecjz2tb pic.twitter.com/Zk1JlV08yb
— Winston Sterzel (@serpentza) November 24, 2025
Rad Power Bikes Rejects Refund Plan
Rad also pointed out that lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous if damaged or handled incorrectly, noting that the risk is not unique to its products.
The company said it wanted to work with the CPSC to help customers upgrade to its newer "Safe Shield" batteries at a discount, Electrek reported.
However, Rad said the commission pushed for refunds or full replacements, something the company claims it cannot afford.
The batteries were sold with many Rad models, including the RadWagon 4, RadCity 3 and 4, RadRover 5 series, RadRunner 1 and 2, RadRunner Plus, and RadExpand 5.
They were available on the company's website, at Best Buy, and at other bike stores across the US.
The CPSC says its warning is meant to prevent more fires, especially as reports of lithium-ion battery incidents rise across the country.
While no injuries or deaths linked to these specific Rad batteries have been reported, the agency says the risk is too high to ignore.
Originally published on vcpost.com
