I. New National Standard of Release

2024 Year 12  month 31  On [date], the mandatory national standard “Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles,” jointly revised by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Fire Rescue Bureau, was issued. GB17761-2024 ) has been officially released and will be… 2025  Year 9  month 1  Effective from today, it will replace the current… GB17761-2018 Standards. This move has undoubtedly sent ripples through the electric bicycle industry, ushering in new directions and challenges for its development.

II. Comprehensive Standardization to Enhance Safety Performance

(1) Strengthening Material Safety

The new standard places particular emphasis on strengthening fire‑retardant requirements for nonmetallic materials, imposing more stringent flame‑retardancy criteria on critical components such as nonmetallic materials in direct contact with batteries, electrical circuits, electrical parts, and wiring. . Meanwhile, specific fire‑retardant performance criteria have been established for various non‑metallic materials, including upholstery, leather, and textiles. In addition, clear regulations have been set forth for electric bicycles. The total mass of plastics used should not exceed the vehicle’s overall mass by 5.5% , with the aim of reducing both the likelihood and severity of fires at their source, thereby establishing a robust safeguard for consumers’ lives and property.

(II) Motor Performance Optimization

To ensure smoother, more efficient power delivery from electric bicycles and meet consumers’ practical needs for everyday riding, the new standard has introduced requirements such as minimum torque at low speeds. This adjustment not only helps… Enhance vehicle performance during start-up and hill climbing. It delivers robust performance in various scenarios and effectively mitigates safety risks stemming from subpar motor performance, ensuring a safer, smoother riding experience.

(3) Tamper-Resistant Design Upgrade

In terms of tamper resistance, the new standard has comprehensively refined the requirements for components such as the battery pack, controller, and speed limiter. The battery pack shall not include any interfaces or wiring reserved for expanding onboard batteries, and must feature mutually recognized and coordinated charging and discharging functions. Only after ensuring perfect compatibility between the battery pack, the charger, and the entire vehicle may charging and riding be carried out. As for the controller, it is strictly prohibited to modify its functions by means such as cutting or jumpering wires; it must not support multiple input voltage modes and should also incorporate features like overvoltage lockout and current‑limiting protection, thereby eliminating the possibility of unauthorized modifications. Whether implemented as a standalone module or integrated within the controller, speed limiters are likewise strictly forbidden from allowing adjustment of the speed‑limit setting. Through these measures, the anti‑tampering capabilities of electric bicycles are comprehensively enhanced, effectively safeguarding vehicle operational safety. 。

(4) Improved Braking Performance

Braking performance is directly linked to riding safety; therefore, the new standard has substantially raised the requirements for braking performance. By optimizing the design and materials of the braking system, the vehicle’s maximum stopping distance has been significantly reduced, ensuring that riders can brake promptly and effectively in emergency situations, thereby preventing collisions and providing an important safeguard for riding safety. 。

(5) Vehicle Quality Adjustment

Taking into account the actual usage scenarios and requirements of lead-acid battery‑powered electric bicycles, the new standard sets the maximum overall vehicle mass at… by 55kg Upgrade to 63kg This adjustment fully accounts for the weight requirements when the vehicle is equipped with a lead‑acid battery, ensuring both battery capacity and driving range, while also optimizing handling stability and driving safety, thereby offering consumers a more practical option. 。

(6) Enterprise Capability Requirements

To promote the healthy and sustainable development of the electric bicycle industry, the new standard introduces requirements for manufacturers’ quality‑assurance capabilities and product consistency. Manufacturers must possess production capacities—covering complete vehicles as well as key components such as frames—that are commensurate with their output levels, along with robust testing and quality‑control systems, to ensure consistent and reliable product quality. Furthermore, throughout the entire production process, companies are required to strictly adhere to relevant standards, maintain product consistency, and prevent practices such as substituting inferior materials or cutting corners, thereby providing consumers with electric bicycles that meet high‑quality standards. 。

(7) Introduction of Intelligent Features

The new standard keeps pace with the times and mandates that electric bicycles… Equipped with Beidou positioning Communication and dynamic safety monitoring functions. By leveraging the BeiDou positioning system, vehicle owners can track their vehicle’s location in real time, effectively preventing theft. Meanwhile, the communication and dynamic safety monitoring features enable continuous monitoring of critical vehicle components—such as the battery and motor—and, upon detecting anomalies like excessive battery temperature or abnormal voltage, promptly send alerts to the owner, allowing them to take appropriate measures and avert potential safety incidents. The introduction of this intelligent feature not only enhances vehicle safety but also delivers a more convenient and smarter user experience for consumers.

(8) Practical Design Improvements

In terms of practical design, the new standard It is no longer mandatory for all vehicle models to be equipped with pedal-assist systems. Instead of imposing rigid requirements, the regulation allows manufacturers to design vehicles flexibly based on the specific needs of each model, thereby providing greater room for product innovation. At the same time, it explicitly encourages the installation of rearview mirrors on electric bicycles; this small yet significant improvement greatly expands the rider’s field of vision, enabling better awareness of surrounding traffic conditions, reducing the likelihood of accidents, and enhancing both safety and riding comfort. 。

(9) Clearly defined service life

To guide consumers in the proper use of electric bicycles and ensure the timely retirement of older models, the new standard requires manufacturers to… Clearly define the recommended service life of electric bicycles. and clearly mark the nameplate and the product certificate of conformity. This measure helps consumers understand a vehicle’s service life and plan for timely replacement, thereby ensuring riding safety. At the same time, it contributes to orderly market practices and promotes the sound development of the electric bicycle industry.

III. New Regulations on Lithium-Ion Batteries: Paving the Way for Safe Usage

In addition to regulating electric bicycles themselves, the new national standard also lays out detailed safety technical requirements for lithium-ion batteries. This standard will take effect on… 2024 Year 11  month 1  It officially came into effect, providing safeguards for the safe use of lithium batteries.

(1) Safety Requirements for Individual Batteries

At the single-cell level, particular attention is given to overcharging, overdischarging, external short circuits, thermal abuse, nail penetration, and labeling.  6 Safety Requirements . Individual cells must feature robust overcharge and overdischarge protection to prevent severe issues such as performance degradation, ignition, or even explosion caused by excessive charging and discharging. Moreover, the battery must remain stable under external short-circuit conditions to prevent hazardous situations. Thermal abuse and nail penetration tests assess the battery’s safety under extreme conditions, requiring it to maintain safety even when subjected to high temperatures, thermal shock, and puncture by sharp objects—without experiencing fires, explosions, or other incidents that could endanger users’ lives and property. 。

(II) Battery Pack Safety Standards

For battery packs, considerations include electrical safety, mechanical safety, environmental safety, thermal runaway, interoperable and coordinated charging, data acquisition, labeling, and more. 7 Formulated in several aspects  22 Safety Requirements In terms of electrical safety, stringent standards have been established for the battery pack’s insulation performance, overcurrent protection, and overvoltage protection, ensuring that no electrical faults—such as leakage or short circuits—occur under normal operating conditions or in abnormal situations. . Mechanical safety requirements stipulate that, when subjected to mechanical external forces such as compression, vibration, and impact, the battery pack must maintain structural integrity and must not cause internal short circuits or other damage. Environmental safety focuses on the adaptability and safety of battery packs under various environmental conditions; factors such as high temperature, low temperature, humidity, and sand and dust should not compromise the battery pack’s normal performance or safety. Thermal propagation requires that, when a single cell in a battery pack experiences thermal runaway, the thermal spread be effectively contained to prevent ignition and combustion of the entire battery pack. The configuration of the mutual‑recognition and coordinated charging function is designed to ensure proper matching and communication between the battery pack and the charger, thereby preventing safety issues arising from charging mismatches. The data acquisition function can monitor the battery pack’s parameters in real time—such as voltage, current, and temperature—enabling the timely identification of potential safety hazards. In addition, the battery pack must bear clear and accurate markings that provide relevant information to guide users on safe operation. 。

(III) Interpretation of Key Test Items

The overcharge test requirement in the new national standard stipulates that the battery must…  1.5 Overcharge protection It remains safe under such conditions; this test simulates scenarios of overcharging that may occur during real-world use, ensuring that the battery will not ignite or explode under extreme charging conditions. . The needle-puncture test uses a needle with a diameter of 3 A millimeter‑diameter steel needle pierces the fully charged battery cell and remains there. 30  seconds, thereby assessing the battery’s safety and stability. This test effectively identifies batteries that fail to meet safety standards, ensuring consumer safety.

Four , Comply with the new regulations and work together to ensure safe travel.

GB17761-2024 The promulgation and implementation of the new national standard have brought about comprehensive and profound changes to the electric bicycle industry, with the core objective of enhancing the safety performance of electric bicycles and safeguarding the lives and property of consumers.

For consumers, when purchasing an electric bicycle, it is essential to carefully evaluate and choose products that comply with the new national standards. During daily use, it is essential to strictly comply with relevant regulations, refrain from unauthorized vehicle modifications, and conduct regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the vehicle remains in optimal working condition. For enterprises, it is imperative to proactively respond to the requirements of the new national standards, increase investment in research and development, optimize production processes, and ensure that product quality meets the prescribed standards.

We believe that, with the joint efforts of consumers and businesses, GB17761-2024 With the effective implementation of the new national standard, the safety performance of electric bicycles will be significantly enhanced, and our travel environment will become safer and more orderly. Let us join forces to embrace the new developments in the electric bicycle industry and strive to build a safe and harmonious society for mobility.