And if Sadoway is right, the two ways to make sure it does not happen again are to change the design of the lithium-ion battery or replace it with a safer, but less-powerful battery technology.
And unless an electric bike has regenerative braking, which lets the motor help slow you down while charging the battery at the same time, expect to change the brake pads more often than on a standard bike.
After its bankruptcy sale to Chinese auto supplier Wanxiang Group, battery-maker A123 Systems Inc. was required to change its name as part of its agreement.
Sir Howard even suggested this week that the battery fiasco had helped by making it easier for him to convince doubters within Sony of the need to change.