90 hoverboards destroyed for failing safety tests

The Surrey County Council said the hoverboards were intercepted by county trading standards officers after being imported from Hong Kong and the self-balancing scooters were sent for electrical safety standards testing.

The council said the devices were found to have faulty components including defective battery packs that could lead to spontaneous explosions.

"Our focus is on protecting consumers and the swift actions of our trading standards officers have prevented a large consignment of potentially dangerous products ever going on sale," said Richard Walsh, Surrey County Council's cabinet member for localities and community wellbeing.

The destroyed boards were sent for recycling.

Hoverboard also known as Segways, which are predominantly made in China, can overheat while charging and catch fire. Researchers revealed that the lithium ion batteries in the devices might be the reason for the explosions and fires.

People have been warned against leaving the devices to charge while unattended.

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