January 17, 2018, 07:21:00 Source: China National Radio
China National Radio, Beijing, January 17 (Reporters Zhang Mianmian, Pan Yi, Trainee Reporter Guo Ming) According to a report on China National Radio's "News Horizon," electric bicycles are favored by many for their convenience and speed. However, safety concerns regarding electric bicycles have also drawn public attention. The 1999 standard for electric bicycles can no longer meet consumers’ safety needs.
Yesterday (16th), four departments — the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Public Security, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine — held a press conference to release the draft mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles." The draft has been open for public comment on the websites of MIIT and the Standardization Administration of China for 30 days starting yesterday. What adjustments have been made compared to the past? What will be different when riding an electric bicycle in the future?
In recent years, while making life more convenient, electric bicycles have gradually become bigger, heavier, and faster. Judging solely by the 1999 "General Technical Conditions for Electric Bicycles," the number of "non-compliant vehicles" on the streets is considerable. Gao Yanmin, Director of the Consumer Products Industry Department at MIIT, gave an example: “The current standard stipulates that the maximum speed of an electric bicycle should not exceed 20km/h, but in actual use, some electric bicycles exceed 40km/h. The current standard sets the total weight at no more than 40kg, but some electric bicycles weigh over 70kg.”
These “non-compliant vehicles” are gradually approaching the performance level of electric mopeds, but have poor safety features. Some are even driven on motor vehicle lanes, leading to frequent overtaking and lane changes by motor vehicles, resulting in scraping accidents. Li Jiangping, Deputy Director of the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, used a set of figures to demonstrate the significant traffic safety risks posed by these non-compliant vehicles: “According to statistics, from 2013 to 2017, there were 56,200 road traffic accidents involving electric bicycles that resulted in injuries or deaths nationwide, causing 8,431 deaths, 63,500 injuries, and direct property losses of 111 million yuan. The annual number of such accidents and fatalities increased by 8.6% and 13.5%, respectively.”
In addition, fires caused by electric bicycles in recent years have been a key and difficult issue in social fire prevention, resulting in tragic casualties and property losses. Du Lanping, Deputy Director of the Fire Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, said: “We have conducted specific fire experiments on electric bicycles. Once ignited, within minutes, all the polymer materials of the electric bicycle will catch fire, producing a large amount of toxic and harmful gas, which can cause casualties inside buildings.”
Based on the above issues, Gao Yanmin stated that the revised "Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles" adjusts the maximum speed from 20km/h to 25km/h, the total weight including the battery from 40kg to 55kg, and the motor power from 240W to 400W. “The new standard adheres to the safety baseline, adding technical indicators such as tamper resistance, fire resistance, flame retardancy, and charger protection. It also adjusts and improves technical indicators such as speed limits, total weight, and pedal cycling capability, comprehensively enhancing the mechanical safety, driving safety, electrical safety, and fire safety of electric bicycle products.”
Why has the maximum speed of electric bicycles increased by five kilometers, with the upper limit set at 25km/h? Chen Daji, head of the national standard working group for "Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles" and Vice President of the China Electronics Standardization Institute, explained: “This also takes into account the travel needs of some members of the public. Travel distances may be getting longer, and the demand for efficiency is increasing. On the basis of ensuring safety, we have appropriately relaxed the limit. We have also referred to the EU’s current limit of 25km/h and Japan’s 24km/h.”
Only vehicles with pedal functionality can be classified as non-motorized vehicles — in other words, electric bicycles must have pedal cycling capability. What is the reasoning behind this?
Chen Daji explained: “Pedal cycling is not a new requirement. An electric bicycle is, after all, still a bicycle. A bicycle is required to have the capability for human-powered cycling, and must include pedals.”
There will be a transition period of six months to one year from the release to the official implementation of the new standard, allowing enterprises time for new product development, production line adjustments, and inventory clearance. Li Jiangping said that before the new standard takes effect, manufacturers are encouraged to produce according to the new standard, retailers are encouraged to sell products that comply with the new standard, and consumers are encouraged to purchase compliant products. “For your own safety and legal rights, please purchase electric bicycles that meet national standards. If riders seek higher speeds, they should buy motorcycles or cars, register them according to the law, and obtain a driver’s license to ensure their rights are not infringed upon.”
It is estimated that 60%-70% of the approximately 200 million electric bicycles currently in use do not meet the new standard. For consumers who have already purchased non-compliant electric bicycles, Gao Yanmin stated that local governments will develop appropriate solutions. “After the new standard takes effect, for electric bicycles that do not meet the new standard but have already been purchased by consumers, solutions such as natural scrapping, trade-in programs, discounted repurchases, scrappage subsidies, or inclusion under motor vehicle management will be implemented to gradually resolve the issue over several years.”
Li Jiangping revealed that for those non-compliant electric bicycles that already meet the standards of electric motorcycles, the relevant national standards for electric motorcycles are currently being revised. “Some companies market non-motorized electric bicycles that actually qualify as motor vehicles as 'non-motorized,' misleading many consumers. To ensure proper alignment of standards, MIIT is leading the revision of the national standard 'Safety Requirements for Electric Motorcycles and Electric Mopeds.' Those meeting the new standard will be managed as electric motorcycles or electric mopeds.”
Editor: Ni Yannan
Operations: Tang Jun MX002