Lithium-ion batteries for your electric bike or similar, may not be charged anywhere on the University premises. This is because there is an increased fire risk if this type of battery is handled incorrectly, and because we must comply with the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency’s requirements regarding insurance and risk management.
Use a charging cabinet
There are charging cabinets for lithium-ion batteries on our campuses in Umeå. The links below take you to Mazemap and show where the cabinets are located on each campus.
Questions and answers about charging electric bike batteries
How do I access a charging cabinet?
You use your UMU card to unlock and lock a cabinet.
Can lithium-ion batteries intended for private transport be charged indoors on Umeå University premises?
No. Charging may only take place in designated outdoor areas using designated charging devices.
Can I use the charging cabinet for my battery even if I don't need to charge it?
Yes, you can lock your battery in the charging locker without charging it.
The instructions state that batteries must not be charged in extreme cold. How do I decide whether to use a charging cabinet?
The cabinet supplier provides the following information:
- The optimal temperature for charging lithium-ion batteries is between approximately 10–25 degrees Celsius, but they can usually cope with temperatures ranging from +1 degree to around +40 degrees.
- The charging cabinets contain heaters that switch on when necessary to keep the internal temperature of the cabinet above 0 degrees Celsius. How effective the heater is depends on the outside temperature, wind, and how many batteries are being charged at that moment.
- There is a report of a cabinet with 5 batteries being charged, managed to maintain an internal temperature above 0 degrees Celsius when the outside temperature was around -10 degrees Celsius.
Can I leave my electric bike outdoors with the battery in it, if I don't need to charge the battery?
Yes, it is fine to leave the battery in the bike outdoors, as long as you are not charging it.
What should I do if a battery becomes abnormally hot?
If possible, stop charging by switching off or disconnecting the power source if the battery is charging.
Remember to never handle a battery if you are in any doubt about your own safety, and never put yourself in danger. A fire in a lithium-ion battery can be explosive and produce heavy smoke and toxic fumes.
What should I do if a battery catches fire?
If a battery catches fire, it is important to act quickly. Immediately rescue anyone in immediate danger, warn people that there is a fire and call 112. You can find more information on the fire safety page.
Remember to never handle a battery if you are in any doubt about your own safety, and never put yourself in danger. A fire in a lithium-ion battery can be explosive and produce heavy smoke and toxic fumes.
