Electric Scooters Banned on Subway... "Lithium Battery" Entry Restricted

Seoul Metro Revises Passenger Transport Terms and Conditions

Large-Capacity Lithium Batteries Restricted from July 1

Mobility Aids for Persons with Disabilities, Such as Electric Wheelchairs, Exempt

From now on, personal mobility devices (PM) equipped with lithium batteries, such as electric scooters, will no longer be allowed on the Seoul subway.

Seoul Metro announced on the 25th that it has revised its passenger transportation terms and conditions to prohibit passengers from carrying personal mobility devices on the subway, as part of efforts to preemptively eliminate fire hazards.

Unlike ordinary fires, lithium battery fires are difficult to extinguish in the early stages due to internal thermal runaway and have a high risk of re-ignition. This requires even stricter management in the subway, which is used by large numbers of citizens.

Recently, as the use of lithium batteries in electric scooters, e-bikes, and portable power banks has increased nationwide, so have concerns about battery-related fire incidents. In September last year, smoke was reported from a battery for an electric scooter brought in by a passenger at Hapjeong Station, causing Line 2 and Line 6 trains to pass through without stopping. Such battery-related accidents continue to occur in the subway. This year alone, there have been four consecutive incidents involving portable batteries carried by passengers.

In response, Seoul Metro has decided to revise its passenger transportation terms and conditions, taking into account the increase in personal mobility device usage and lithium battery fire incidents. The company sought authoritative interpretations and legal reviews from relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, before proceeding with the revision. The standards for carrying batteries were established based on internationally accepted lithium battery safety guidelines used in the aviation sector.

According to the revised terms and conditions, starting July 1, subway passengers will be prohibited from bringing into stations: ▲ any vehicles powered by lithium batteries, such as e-bikes, electric scooters, and electric wheels, and ▲ large-capacity lithium batteries exceeding 160Wh. However, mobility aids used by persons with disabilities, such as electric wheelchairs, are exempt and may still be carried.

The lithium batteries exceeding 160Wh covered by this restriction are primarily large batteries used in personal mobility devices such as electric scooters, e-bikes, and electric wheels. In contrast, most electronic devices that citizens commonly use in daily life—such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and standard portable power banks—are under 160Wh and are not subject to this restriction.

To put 160Wh into perspective, this is roughly equivalent to about 43,000mAh in terms of widely used smartphone power bank capacity. Portable power banks commonly used in the 10,000mAh to 20,000mAh range are allowed, but since battery capacity may vary by product type and model, users should check the battery capacity indicated on their products.

Before the new regulation takes effect, Seoul Metro will launch an extensive public campaign using station notices, platform information boards, its website, and joint campaigns with related organizations. On-site guidance will also be provided. Kim Taekyun, CEO of Seoul Metro, stated, "Lithium batteries are essential in our daily lives, but because they are more difficult and dangerous to extinguish than ordinary fires, proactive management is required." He added, "This measure is a preventive safety initiative aimed at creating a safer subway environment, so we ask for the public's understanding and cooperation with the new policy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.