Neither 'Electricity Thieves' Nor 'Arsonists in Waiting'... The Starbucks Scene That Sparked Debate [Useful Issues]
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- 2025-11-24 06:48:21
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- 2025-11-24 06:48:21
These comments were in response to unusual scenes inside Starbucks stores that surfaced online. Electric bicycle battery packs and EUCs were seen plugged into outlets and charging inside the cafes.
Many disapproved of what they saw as people using electricity as if they were stealing it, while others expressed concern about the risk of battery explosions and fires. Criticism escalated from calling them 'electricity thieves' to labeling them 'potential arsonists.
' Such accusations were raised. What happened at Starbucks? The controversy stemmed from two photos submitted at different times to the Instagram account of the online community Bobaedream.On the 19th, A post titled 'Electric Unicycle Charging Spotted at Starbucks' included a photo of an EUC being charged at an outlet under a window-side table. This photo was attached.Earlier, on the 14th, a photo was uploaded with the title 'Charging Electric Bicycle Battery at Starbucks. ' The image showed an electric bicycle battery pack placed on a table inside the store, plugged into an outlet and charging, while the electric bicycle was parked outside the window.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
The posters all pointed out that such charging exceeded common sense and expressed concerns about the risk of fires due to battery thermal runaway. Netizens reacted similarly.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.Comments included, 'They'll be charging electric cars soon,' 'Is this a charging station?', 'That's electricity theft,' and 'If that's a lithium-ion battery, what if it catches fire?' The criticism was nearly unanimous. The real reason for criticism: fire risk, not just electricity use.
In July, an electric bicycle battery exploded while charging at a pizza shop in Flushing, Queens, New York, resulting in the death of a woman in her 70s. /Photo: New York Fire Department Posts exposing people charging electric bicycle batteries in restaurants or cafes have appeared regularly.The types of devices varied. People charged not only electric bicycles, kickboards, and electric scooters—classified as personal mobility devices (PM) under road traffic law—but also EUCs and electric motorcycle batteries.The criticism usually started with unauthorized electricity use and ended with concerns about fire hazards. In fact, from 2023 to August this year, there were 346 Li-ion battery-related fires in Seoul alone.
Most occurred while batteries were being charged indoors. In August, a battery explosion from a charging electric scooter in a Mapo-gu apartment caused 18 casualties.
Similar incidents have happened abroad. In July, a fire broke out at a pizza shop in Flushing, Queens, New York, killing a customer.
According to ABC News, a 76-year-old woman was in the restroom when an electric bicycle battery charging nearby exploded. In March, a battery pack exploded in an apartment in Holyoke, Massachusetts, injuring one person and forcing residents to evacuate.
In August last year, a lithium battery for an electric bicycle exploded in a London apartment hallway, and a woman in her 20s was unable to escape the flames. 'Charging Caffeine and Electricity' A cafe in Amsterdam, Netherlands, called 'Charged Cyclery & Coffee' offers electric bicycle charging services.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
/Photo: Charged Cyclery & Coffee website Surprisingly, despite battery-related accidents, the opposite trend is emerging: cafes where you can 'enjoy coffee while charging your battery. ' Such a culture is being led by Europe, for good reason.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
Market growth has led to increased demand for battery charging, maintenance, and safe storage services. One result is cafes that offer charging ports, parking, battery swaps, and coffee.
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is especially active. The uniquely named 'Charged Cyclery & Coffee' opened last year and quickly became a hotspot among electric bicycle enthusiasts.Its signature menu features espresso and 'Voltage Boost,' a Dutch-style apple pie. The cafe has ten state-of-the-art fast-charging stations, where batteries can be charged up to 50% in just 30 minutes.Rapha Clubhouse offers specialty coffee, premium cycling apparel, and charging devices. The staff are experts in electric bicycle maintenance.
Last summer, Lola Bike & Coffee installed a solar-powered charging station outdoors. Through professional mechanics specializing in major brands like Bosch, Shimano, and Bafang, customers can also receive diagnostics and software updates.
Berlin's local newspaper Die Welt reported in August that the number of cafes and rest areas with charging ports is increasing nationwide.
Standert Cafe not only provides charging ports for electric bicycles but also offers battery swap services for depleted batteries.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
Crank & Coffee in Copenhagen, Denmark, has installed a charging station in its outdoor bicycle parking area.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
According to VnExpress, a cafe opened in Ho Chi Minh City in July where delivery riders using electric motorcycles can rest and charge their batteries.
Charging costs 8,000–16,000 dong (about 440–900 won), while drinks are 17,000–20,000 dong.
Hammocks for resting are free.
Together, and Safely Electric bicycle users enjoy coffee at a cafe in Amsterdam that offers battery charging services.
/Photo: Rapha Clubhouse Instagram capture As more people use electric mobility devices, demand is growing for charging spaces in cafes and restaurants.
Bak Cheolwan, a professor at Seojeong University’s Department of Smart Automotive Engineering, explained, 'Electric bicycles and EUCs have smaller battery capacities than people think, so calling them 'electricity thieves' is a stretch.
' He added, 'Cafes have limited outlet capacity, so thermal runaway from full charging is rare.
' He noted that there are generally no major issues if people charge briefly while having coffee, as a form of emergency charging.
Nevertheless, some argue that universally accepted safety rules are needed to alleviate public anxiety.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
Lee Jae-Jo of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) stated, 'While electric bicycle batteries are not large, charging in apartment hallways is discouraged due to the capacity of the building’s power cables.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
The government should establish rules for charging indoors, including in cafes.
' The European Fire Protection Association (CFPA-E) has already recommended charging policies such as prohibiting unattended overnight charging, encouraging customers to wait during charging, and limiting charging time to 30–60 minutes.In February, the European Union (EU) also issued fire safety guidelines for charging infrastructure in indoor parking areas and for parked electric vehicles.Vietnam has an even more unique cafe.
The Department for Transport (DfT) in the UK has published usage guidelines for electric bicycle battery safety.
They recommend avoiding indoor charging when possible, using chargers with matching ratings, and not leaving batteries unattended while charging.
Cafes are also creating their own rules.
A Starbucks representative stated, 'We prioritize customer safety and a pleasant experience.
If a safety concern arises in the store, we inform customers that use may be restricted.
' Some have proposed allowing charging in cafes and restaurants, but with certain restrictions.Professor Bak commented, 'Cafes are open spaces, and for those whose batteries are depleted, a charging spot is literally a 'lifeline.' Businesses could introduce smart plugs to control power, or, if that’s difficult, simply limit charging time to one or two hours.
Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.
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Viewers strongly criticized these actions. /Photo: Online community Bobaedream capture [Financial News] Some sarcastically remarked that people might soon start charging electric cars in cafes.y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter