The Xinhua Daily Telegraph provided an update on Chinese e-bicycle lithium battery standards on May 7, 2024. This confirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published new ‘Safety Technical Specifications for Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Bicycles’. However, these will only officially come into force on November 1, 2024.
Scope of New Chinese Standard for E-Bicycle Batteries
There are currently some 350 million electric bicycles in use in China. More than 20% of new ones entering the market will probably have lithium-ion batteries. The regulations aim to promote ‘the healthy and orderly development of the electric bicycle industry’, and improve safety and quality generally.
The new safety regulations will apply to all lithium single batteries, and packs destined for electric bicycles in China. There are however subtle differences as follows:
- Single battery regulations address overcharging, over-discharging, external short circuits, thermal abuse, ‘acupuncture’, and marking.
- While pack requirements mainly cover electrical safety, mechanical safety, environmental safety, thermal diffusion,and ‘collaborative’ charging.
Xinhua Daily Telegraph explains that these rules and restrictions only apply to maximum 60-volt batteries for electric bicycles. Therefore batteries intended for electric scooters, balance scooters, motorcycles, electric tricycles and other vehicles fall outside these regulations.
Potential Impact on North American Markets
There’s a growing trend at U.S. city level to favor batteries certified to UL certification standards, or similar. We’re not sure how practical this will be for batteries manufactured in Asia. Although China doubtless has an eye on the lucrative North American electric bicycle market
Electrek points out that a large majority of electric bicycles in the United States are already made in China. Future exports are likely to meet the new domestic Chinese standards, on the basis that ‘a rising tide lifts all ships’.
Hopefully this will mean an end to faulty Chinese e-bicycle lithium batteries behind the spate of fires. Although the old batches could linger on, and be a headache for our firefighters for a few years more.
More Information
Nanjing Electric Bike Fire Sounds Alarm
Fire Extinguisher In a Battery – New Research
Preview Image: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
