Blaze fear for banned e-scooters sold in UK
E-SCOOTERS which could catch fire and electrocute riders in wet weather are still being sold in the UK, despite safety chiefs in France ordering them off the shelves.
The Chinese manufactured Kaabo Mantis Lite is available online in Britain, despite an urgent safety alert in France where they can no longer be sold. It is the latest electronic scooter made in China to be labelled as dangerous, following the recall of two other potentially deadly products last year.
The latest revelation comes as trading standards departments at councils across the country warn they will soon launch prosecutions against anyone selling the scooters without the appropriate warnings.
In the UK e-scooters can only legally be ridden on private land, yet last year police seized thousands of them – 2,000 in London alone – amid a spate of accidents and near misses with other vehicles and pedestrians.
The Kaabo model – which comes in either red, blue, grey or black and has a top speed of 40mph – normally retails for just under £1,000. It is currently available on the Kaabo UK website at a cut-price £745.
The firm does tell potential buyers: “This scooter is not waterproof, please do not ride in the rain or wet conditions.” But it does not explain any further.
Trading standards chiefs in France have revealed the presence of water in the footboard’s electrical compartment may cause a short circuit and start a fire.
The EU issued a recall saying the scooter is not waterproof and was not to be ridden in the rain or wet conditions as there was a risk of electrocution and injury. Safety officers said the product does not comply with the requirements because of wiring and insulation issues.
A spokesman for Kaabo UK described the Mantis Lite as “one of our most popular models”. It is powered by an 800W lithium battery.
Sold as “an awesome urban scooter” that “delivers a smooth ride on any terrain” for “those who enjoy making the most of their time riding”, it is described as easy-to-carry and can travel up to 34 miles off one sixhour charge.
In Britain e-scooters can only legally be used on roads and cycle lanes if rented from licensed operators in 50 towns and cities. They are limited to just 15.5mph.
Last September the Government announced retailers could face prosecution for selling electric scooters without warnings after concerns about the “menace” of illegal devices on roads and pavements.
Kaabo UK was approached for comment.
‘This is one of our most popular models’