OPSS has issued a repeat warning telling consumers to stop using specific UPP (Unit Pack Power) e-bike battery models after continued safety concerns. The warning singles out UPP models U004 and U004-1 and links them to multiple serious fires.

OPSS says it previously issued a warning and took action in early 2024 to require online marketplaces to stop selling these batteries. The repeat message is aimed at riders who may still have them in use — often because the battery was bought separately, fitted to a conversion, or came installed on a second-hand e-bike.

What to check

If you own a second-hand e-bike, or you’ve built a conversion, it’s worth checking battery model details rather than relying on a seller’s description. OPSS advises consumers to stop using and stop charging the affected models immediately if identified.

What to do next

OPSS guidance includes contacting the seller for redress and disposing of batteries safely through local facilities that accept lithium-ion batteries. The bigger lesson is one your future buyer’s guides can reinforce: provenance matters. The safest purchases tend to be the least exciting ones — approved parts, clear paperwork, and reputable retailers who can explain where the product came from and what it complies with.