The newly released Talaria MX5 Sting Professional e-grime bike has commemorated just one week since its US launch, yet it’s unfortunately also witnessing its first major recorded incident of battery fire, sparking concerns about safety and performance.
Reports surfacing online show a purported Talaria MX5 motorcycle ablaze, with its rider recounting how the bike only clocked 20 miles (32 km) before spontaneously erupting in flames beneath them.
The authenticity of the hearth was corroborated by Eric Hicks, founder and owner of Luna Cycle, a leading US-based supplier of Tarallis and other low-powered e-gravel bikes, as well as high-performance electric bicycles. Luna Cycle pioneered the introduction of Talaria-style electric motorbikes to the US market, acting as Sur Ron’s exclusive distributor for many years while also bringing several Talaria models to the country recently.
Here: “Luna Cycle’s offering of the Talaria MX5 bike marks its first major market entry in the USA.” We take this matter extremely seriously, and will prioritize its resolution with unwavering dedication.
Hicks specified that Talaria typically relies exclusively on high-quality batteries from reputable manufacturer Greenway Batteries. Greenway stands out as a vital supplier to numerous electrical bicycle manufacturers worldwide, with its reputation extending far beyond domestic borders in the United States.
For over a decade, Greenway Battery has held the distinction of being the primary supplier to Talaria and Sur Ron electric motorbikes, while Luna Cycle has served as a trusted distributor and authorized service center for Greenway Batteries in the United States for the past eight years.
As Hicks went on to explain, “During the past eight years, we’ve not witnessed a single instance of a Greenway pack triggering a fire, which has had a profound impact on the safety records of both Surron and Talarian products.”
Despite efforts to rectify the situation, a “clerical error” committed by the Talaria team led to a shipment of Talaria MX5 electric motorbikes to the US containing batteries sourced from an alternative supplier, namely Scud.
“After conducting an investigation into the incident and inspecting the bike in question, Luna confirmed that the MX5 involved in the fire last night unfortunately was fitted with a Scud battery supplied by Talaria.” While we’re unsure about the exact cause of this fireplace, we’re hesitant to hypothesize about possible factors, whether related to a manufacturing defect or external influences. Whenever a trigger occurs, every Luna team member unconditionally backs up each bike and product we sell, and this recent incident is utterly unacceptable to every individual at Luna, as well as our valued clients.
Since introducing its battery management system, Luna Cycle has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at addressing concerns surrounding Scud batteries. The corporation is replacing the batteries in all Talaria MX5 bicycles initially equipped with Scud batteries, while also cancelling or reversing current orders featuring Scud batteries that are currently in process. Can these rechargeable e-bikes accommodate battery swaps and expedite shipping within a few business days?
While not all Talaria MX5 Sting Professional bicycles shipped by Luna Cycle prior to this week came equipped with Scud batteries, customers who did receive an MX5 with a Scud battery can expect direct communication from Luna regarding the replacement of their battery with a Greenway alternative.
While lithium-ion battery fires have been reported in the electric bicycle industry, such incidents remain relatively rare in the US, despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of e-bikes already on the road? Incidents of such catastrophic failures are extremely rare in high-end fashion electric bikes, including premium models like Talarias and other luxury e-cycles.
Rarely reported instances of electrical bike battery fires in the US are primarily linked to subpar, low-cost batteries used in entry-level e-bike models.
Cities and establishments are driving increased safety measures in the micromobility industry by introducing guidelines and laws mandating security certifications akin to UL compliance for e-scooter models utilizing lithium-ion batteries, solidifying a trend towards enhanced security.
