Walsall-based container conversion specialist S Jones Containers is backing calls for changes to legislation relating to the manufacture of powerful lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes following the announcement of the Product Safety and Metrology Bill in the King’s Speech.

The Product Safety and Metrology Bill aims to improve the safety of products powered by lithium-ion batteries, by introducing third-party certification for e-bike batteries, bringing them in line with other high-risk products subject to extra safety rules.

The team of engineers at S Jones Containers has worked in collaboration with pioneering battery manufacturers for more than a decade and has developed a range of specialist containerised storage solutions which provide a safe and secure space for manufacturers to store and test batteries. Intensive cycle and abuse testing of lithium-ion batteries is a crucial part of the research and development of e-bikes, electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones and other everyday products but should a battery combust, it can burn with ferocity and cannot be put out easily. Containerised storage solutions provide a safe space for manufacturers to test their latest innovations and ensure the integrity of new battery designs.

Andrew Nicholls, Conversions General Manager at S Jones Containers said: “We’ve long been concerned about the lack of regulation in this area as once a lithium-ion battery enters thermal runway it can burn with intense heat for days. We’ve worked closely with manufacturers to support the safe development of new batteries and it’s encouraging to see this issue being addressed in Parliament, thanks to the diligent campaigning of organisations like Electrical Safety First.

“The researchers we work with are making new discoveries all the time to better understand how to harness the power of lithium-ion batteries and we’re proud to be able to support them with a safe space to carry out vital testing. The new Bill should reduce the risk posed by substandard and potentially dangerous batteries which haven’t been thoroughly tested and certified.”

For more information about battery storage solutions at S Jones Containers, please visit: https://www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/container-conversions/plant-room/battery-storage/

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