Electric vehicles European CE certification Electric bicycles United States UL certification

When electric bicycles enter the U.S. market, there are relatively strict market entry thresholds, which require passing the UL2849 safety standard. The UL2849 standard involves product safety, battery management system (BMS), software evaluation and functional safety evaluation requirements. It also has safety standard requirements for components such as controllers, motors and chargers. The introduction and implementation of the UL2849 standard ensures the quality and performance of electric bicycle products, allowing the industry to develop in a healthier and longer term.

UL 2272 and UL 2849 are personal electric transportation equipment electrical system safety standards, including the electrical system safety standard UL 3030, which together support the rapid transformation of global personal electric transportation equipment technology. Lithium-ion battery technology is increasingly being used in personal electric transportation devices such as balance bikes, e-pedal bikes (e-bikes), electric motorcycles and electric scooters, and we must proactively address the growing safety concerns of the electrical systems of personal electric transportation devices question. Likewise, the exponential growth in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for commercial or tactical objectives will continue to rely on safe battery and electrical system technologies for proper operation. The e-commerce platform Amazon has also put forward clear requirements for electric vehicle products. All lithium electric vehicle products must pass relevant UL certification before they are allowed to be put on the shelves.

Electric Bicycles, Electrically Assisted Bicycles (EPAC Bicycles), Electric Scooters, and Electric Motorcycles -- UL 2849 Third Edition. Updated requirements for the third edition of UL 2849 now address recent critical safety issues to support the safe use of e-bikes (e-bikes that are ridden by one person but may be capable of accommodating a passenger; e-bikes that are normally operated while seated; may have pedals of electric bicycles; generally considered off-road electric bicycles) and minimizes the risk of battery fire or explosion and the risk of electrical shock hazards. Important updates include:
UL 2849 covers electric systems for electric bicycles (pedal assist electric bicycles) and electric motorcycles and electric scooters for off-road use.
The standard addresses shock hazards and potential electrocution hazards during charging during the life of the product.

U.S. market situation of electric bicycles
Electric bicycles continue to grow in the U.S. market. According to eCycleElectric's annual statistical study of the U.S. electric bicycle sales market, the sales volume of electric bicycles in the U.S. market in 2017 was 263,000, setting a new record with an increase of more than 400%. The number of companies importing electric bicycles has also increased significantly, from 135 companies in 2016 to about 600 in 2017. More than 80% of electric bicycles are imported from China, and e-commerce channels are called important sales channels. Compared with the strong car culture in the United States, electric bicycles are a newly emerging means of transportation that meet some people's needs for convenient travel: convenient riding in hilly areas, short-distance destinations, and no need for a driver's license, gas fees, and parking space.

Affected by the Sino-US trade war in 2018, Chinese electric bicycles were included in the list of additional tariffs, and Chinese-made electric bicycles were levied a 25% tariff. In 2018, my country's electric vehicles were affected by the Sino-US trade friction and the EU's anti-dumping investigation, and exports were affected to a certain extent. But from a demand perspective, the demand for electric vehicles in the European and American markets has maintained a rapid growth trend in recent years.

Applicable regulatory standards for electric bicycles in the United States
ASTM F2264-2009a Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Powered Scooters

ASTM F2641-2008 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes/Consumer Safety Specification for Recreational Powered Scooters and Portable Bikes

ASTM F2642-2008 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Safety Instructions and Labeling for Recreational Powered Scooters and Pocket Bikes/Recreational Motorized Scooters and Small Automobiles Safety Instructions and Labeling Consumer Safety Specification

UL2272 Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices/Electrical systems for personal electric mobility devices

UL2849 Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPAC Bicycles), Electric Scooters, and Electric Motorcycles/Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPAC Bicycles), Electric Scooters, and Electric Motorcycles.

Electric vehicles are two-wheeled bicycles that use on-board batteries as auxiliary power and can achieve power-assisted and/or electric drive functions. Europe is the largest consumer market for electric vehicles in the world. Especially in recent years, the promotion of environmental protection has increased, giving great confidence to the green industry of electric vehicles.

The European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA) stated that China exported more than 430,000 electric bicycles to the EU in 2016, a 40% increase from 2015, and expects this number to increase to about 800,000 units this year. Currently, Europeans buy about 2 million e-bikes every year, and the market continues to expand as the product becomes more diverse. With the boom of electric vehicles in the European market, the EU region has successively introduced a number of standards for the product safety of electric vehicles in recent years, which also means raising the threshold for global electric mopeds to enter the European market. Since 2018, the EU has also implemented high anti-dumping tariffs on electric bicycles exported from China into the European market, with a maximum tariff of 79.3%.
Regulations and standards applicable to electric vehicles in Europe
Standard regulations apply to electric vehicles in Europe:
BS 6102-1-1992 Part 1:Specification for safety requirements for bicycles/bicycle safety requirements specification
BS EN14764:2005 City and trrkking bicycles-Safety requirements and test methods/Safety requirements and test methods for city and trrkking bicycles
EN 14766:2005 Mountain-bicycles-Satety requirements and test methods/Mountain bike safety requirements and test methods
EN14781:2005 Racing bicycles-Safety requirements and test methods/Racing bicycles-Safety requirements and test methods
AS/NAS 1927:1998 Pedal bicycles-Safety requirements/pedal bicycle safety requirements
prEN 17128-2017 Non-approved light motorized vehicles for the Non-approved light motorized vehicles for the Personal light electric vehicles (PLEV) - Safety requirements and test methods/Unapproved light motorized vehicles for the Personal Light Electric Vehicle (PLEV) Vehicles - Safety requirements and test methods (personal light electric vehicle/PLEV: electrically power assisted cycle/EPAC: electrically assisted cycle)
EN 15194:2017 Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles/Bicycles - Electrically assisted bicycles - EPAC bicycles; (EPACs: Electrically assisted two-wheeled vehicles)
EN14619: 2019 Roller sports equipment - Kick scooters - Safety requirements and test methods/Roller sports equipment - Scooters - Safety requirements and test methods
CE certification process for electric bicycles
1. The manufacturer (hereinafter referred to as the applicant) submits an oral or written preliminary application to the testing agency;
2. The applicant fills out the application form and provides the application form and product instructions to the testing agency;
3. The testing agency determines the testing standards and test items and quotes;
4. The applicant confirms the quotation, both parties sign a service contract, and pay the certification fee;
5. The applicant sends samples and relevant technical documents to the testing agency;
6. The laboratory conducts product testing and reviews technical documents;
7. If the test fails or the technical documents do not meet the requirements, the laboratory will promptly notify the applicant;
8. The applicant improves the product or modifies the technical documents;
9. The laboratory retests the improved products and reviews the revised documents;
10. If rectification or retesting costs are incurred, the laboratory will issue a supplementary charge notice to the applicant;
11. The applicant shall pay fees according to the supplementary fee notice;
12. The laboratory provides test reports and CE certificates to applicants.