To charge an electric scooter or e-bike safely at home, use the charger that came with it, plug it straight into a wall outlet, charge it on the floor away from exits and beds, stay nearby while it charges, and unplug it when it's full. Never charge it overnight, while you're out, below freezing, or when the battery is damaged, swollen or wet. That is what the FDNY, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and UL Standards & Engagement all say, and below is each rule with the reason behind it.
The CPSC says many lithium-ion battery fires in homes, and many of the deaths, have happened at night while a battery was charging and the family was asleep. Most of the rules come back to that: charge where a problem can't trap anyone, with the equipment the battery was tested with, while someone is there to notice.
- Use the charger that came with it, or one the maker approves.
- Plug it straight into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip.
- Charge on the floor, away from exits, beds, couches, heaters and direct sunlight.
- Stay with it while it charges, and unplug it when it's full.
- Charge at room temperature: let a cold battery warm up and a hot one cool down first.
- Never charge a battery that is swollen, damaged, wet, smells or gets hot.
Use the right charger
Use the charger that came with your electric scooter or e-bike, or one the maker recommends. The CPSC says so, and so do Segway's and INMOTION's own guides. The reason is in the certification: UL 2849 for e-bikes and UL 2272 for electric scooters test the battery, motor system and charger together, so the original charger is the one the safety testing covered. The CPSC has also warned riders not to buy or use "universal" chargers sold for micromobility products, because of fire reports. More in UL 2849 vs UL 2272 vs UL 2271.
Lost or broken charger? We stock chargers for many of the brands we sell, including the genuine Segway 36V charger and INMOTION's chargers, in batteries and chargers. If you aren't sure the charger is the problem, our technicians test the charger, the charging port and the battery before anything gets replaced; charger replacement starts at $35. See electric scooter charger replacement.
Where to charge at home
The FDNY and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) both say the safest place to charge is outside, away from the building, wherever that's possible. When it has to be indoors, the FDNY's rules are:
- On the floor. Don't charge on any surface other than the floor, and never on a bed, under a pillow or on a couch.
- Not in a bedroom. Charge where you are awake and nearby, not where you sleep.
- Away from exits. Never charge or park it where it would block the way out of a room or your home, including the apartment door and a fire-escape window.
- Straight into the wall. No extension cords and no power strips, and don't overload the outlet.
- Away from heat and anything that burns. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators, heaters and anything flammable.
If your battery comes out, the city's "Charge Safe, Store Safe" guide notes that an electric scooter or e-bike without its battery poses no fire risk, so you can charge the battery alone in a better spot. Whether to remove it is your maker's call; some manuals say not to.
Stay with it, and unplug it when it's full
The FDNY says never leave an electric scooter or e-bike charging unattended and never charge it overnight. The CPSC says always be present while it charges and never charge while you sleep, and the CPSC and NFPA both say to unplug the charger once the charge is complete. Charge during the day or evening, when you are home and awake, rather than plugging in before bed.
How long to charge, and when
Your manual gives the charging time for your battery and charger, and it varies a lot between models. Some makers also put a ceiling on it: Segway's battery guide says a charge should take under 12 hours, and Hiboy's manuals say not to charge for more than 12 hours or leave the battery on the charger for more than 24.
Don't wait until it's completely empty, either. UL Standards & Engagement says to charge batteries before they lose all their power, and Segway and Hiboy both say to recharge below 20%. A battery left empty for weeks can go into a sleep mode or be damaged for good; see winter storage for how often to top it up when you aren't riding.
Heat, cold and charging right after a ride
The FDNY says to keep batteries and devices at room temperature, and no maker we checked allows charging below freezing. If it has been out in the cold, NAVEE and Hiboy say to bring it inside and let the battery come back to its normal temperature before you plug it in. More in electric scooter range in cold weather.
Heat matters too. Segway says to let the battery rest about 30 minutes after a hot ride before charging, Hiboy says not to charge right after riding, and Teverun USA says not to charge a hot battery or charge in direct sunlight.
Warning signs: stop charging and bring it in
When a battery or charger comes in, our technicians test the battery under load, the charger and the charging port, and tell you what we find before any work starts. Starting prices, parts and labor included:
- Swollen or wet battery safety check from $70
- Battery load test and health report from $50, waived if your repair quote is over $100
- Range loss or won't hold a charge from $50
- Won't turn on or no power from $35
- Charging port repair from $35; charger replacement from $35
- Water damage from $50
Battery repair and replacement are both done at every Wilson's shop; replacement is quoted after the test. A simple inspection is always free. More in won't turn on or won't charge, electric scooter battery replacement and how long electric scooter batteries last.
Buy certified batteries and chargers
The FDNY's first rule is to buy and use devices certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, and never to use aftermarket or generic batteries or chargers. The CPSC adds that a replacement battery should be one tested and approved for your device, never one reworked by someone unqualified or built from used cells. In New York City, the sale of uncertified e-bikes, electric scooters and batteries is against the law; see NYC's battery safety law.
Extra rules in New York City
- It is illegal to store or charge a damaged battery, including a refurbished one (NYC "Charge Safe, Store Safe" guide).
- Charging six or more devices in one area needs a dedicated room that meets Fire Code section 309.3.3.
- It is illegal to put rechargeable batteries in the trash or recycling; take them to a city drop-off site (nyc.gov/batteries).
- To report unsafe charging or storage, call 311.
Where to get a charger or battery checked
- Flushing: 35-23 Farrington St, Flushing, NY 11354
- Elmhurst: 82-15 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373
- Brooklyn: 268 Richardson St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
- Long Island City: 41-13 31st Ave, Long Island City, NY 11103
- San Francisco: 360 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Miami: 2235 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33142 (walk-ins)
Walk in at any shop, no appointment needed, or book a repair at our New York and San Francisco shops. Any brand, wherever you bought it. Text or call (516) 300-0944.
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge my electric scooter or e-bike overnight?
No. The FDNY says never charge overnight or leave it charging unattended, and the CPSC says never charge while you sleep. Charge while you're home and awake, and unplug it when it's full.
Can I use an extension cord or a power strip?
No. The FDNY says to plug the charger straight into a wall outlet, with no extension cords or power strips.
Can I use a universal charger?
The CPSC warns against it. Use the charger that came with your electric scooter or e-bike, or one the maker recommends, because the original charger is part of what the UL certification tested.
How long should I charge an electric scooter or e-bike?
As long as your manual says, and no longer: unplug it once it's full. Segway says a charge should take under 12 hours, and Hiboy says not to charge for more than 12 hours.
Is it safe to charge in my apartment?
The FDNY says to charge outside wherever possible. Indoors, charge on the floor, out of the bedroom, away from exits and heat, plugged straight into the wall, and only while you're there.
Can I charge a battery that got wet or looks swollen?
No. Don't charge it or ride it. Bring it straight in; our swollen or wet battery safety check starts from $70.
Sources, read November 2026: FDNY "Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries"; FDNY lithium-ion battery safety; NYC "Charge Safe, Store Safe" guide; nyc.gov/fdny/batteries; CPSC Micromobility Information Center; CPSC on universal chargers; NFPA lithium-ion battery safety; UL Standards & Engagement e-mobility devices; Segway-Ninebot battery maintenance guide (service.segway.com); Hiboy S2/S2 Pro and EX6 user manuals; NAVEE GT3 user manual and general FAQ; Teverun USA FAQ. Repair prices are Wilson's starting prices, parts and labor included. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
