Lawsuit Claims Rad Power E-Bike Fire Resulted in Man’s Death

Woman alleges that the manufacturer engaged in deceptive practices by marketing the Rad Power e-bike as meeting certain safety standards despite the vehicle’s noncompliance.

An Alabama woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that defects in Rad Power e-bikes and inadequate battery safety standards caused a battery to ignite during routine charging, sparking a house fire that injured her and killed her husband.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Shannon Stephens, individually and as the personal representative of the Estate of Keith Stephens, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama on April 28. It names New Summit Collective Inc. (formerly known as Rad Power Bikes Inc.), Summit Collective Inc. and The Cycle Joint Inc. as defendants.

Stephens alleges the defendants knew or should have known that design defects in Rad Power e-bikes created a risk of fire and explosion, based on prior thermal incidents involving similar vehicles. However, the lawsuit claims they failed to implement adequate safeguards.

Rad Power E-Bike Risks

An e-bike, or electric bicycle, is equipped with an integrated motor and battery that helps propel the rider, either while pedaling or through a throttle. Although they resemble traditional bicycles, e-bikes like those sold by Rad Power rely on lithium-ion batteries to help riders travel longer distances, climb hills more easily and reach higher speeds with less physical effort.

However, Stephens alleges that design defects in Rad Power e-bike batteries may cause them to overheat and enter thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction in which rising internal temperatures generate additional heat, quickly escalating into fires or explosions.

While the complaint does not reference any specific prior warnings about the risk, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a Rad Power Bikes e-bike battery warning on November 24, 2025, following more than 30 fires and $700,000 in property damage.

Rad Power Bikes Lawsuit

Stephens’ lawsuit indicates that the subject bike was purchased in December 2024 and professionally assembled by The Cycle Joint Inc., an authorized Rad Power Bikes dealer. She reports that her husband, Dr. Keith Stephens, used the bike as intended and instructed, including storing and charging it indoors in a dry garage using an outlet with no history of malfunction.

However, only days after the e-bike was assembled, its battery ignited overnight on January 3, 2025, sparking a fire that injured Shannon Stephens and killed Dr. Stephens.

A formal investigation confirmed that the fire originated from the e-bike battery and determined that a defective design caused the incident. The investigation cited multiple engineering and safety failures, including the use of a lower-cost, higher energy-density battery chemistry and the absence of adequate thermal protection and containment.

The lawsuit alleges that Rad Power Bikes marketed its electric bikes as UL certified despite knowing that the lithium-ion battery had never been UL listed. UL certification is a third-party verification system that confirms batteries have undergone testing required to meet safety standards designed to help prevent fires, explosions and ruptures.

Instead, after numerous fires involving e-bikes, Stephens claims the company quietly began incorporating a new battery feature branded “Safe Shield” as a routine improvement, claiming enhanced thermal protection and internal safeguards. However, it never acknowledged that the original battery design posed a risk of thermal runaway and fire.

“Had Rad Power Bikes incorporated appropriate and available design features, the fire—which originated from the e-bike battery pack—would more likely than not have been contained within the battery pack and prevented from spreading. This event was foreseeable. More importantly, it was preventable.”

— Shannon Stephens v. New Summit Collective Inc. et al

Stephens raises allegations of strict product liability under the Alabama Extended Manufacturer’s Liability Doctrine, fraud, breach of implied warranty, failure to provide sufficient warnings and loss of consortium.

She seeks punitive damages for the wrongful death of her husband, as well as compensatory damages and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

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