Reporters learned from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that the mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Specification for Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Electric Bicycles" (GB43854—2024), drafted under the organization of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, has been issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) and will officially take effect on November 1, 2024.
It is understood that the technical specification outlines safety requirements and testing methods for lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles that comply with the "Safety Technical Specification for Electric Bicycles" (GB17761), addressing both individual cells and battery packs. For individual cells, the specification primarily covers six safety requirements: overcharging, over-discharging, external short circuits, thermal abuse, nail penetration, and labeling. For battery packs, it encompasses 22 safety requirements across seven areas, including electrical safety, mechanical safety, environmental safety, thermal runaway, mutual recognition and coordinated charging, data collection, and labeling.
It is noteworthy that the technical specification applies only to lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles as defined in the "Safety Technical Specification for Electric Bicycles" (GB17761), with a maximum output voltage not exceeding 60V. It does not apply to lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles such as electric scooters, self-balancing vehicles, electric motorcycles, or electric tricycles. According to the regulations, all lithium-ion batteries for electric bicycles sold domestically must comply with this standard after its implementation.
Currently, the national stock of electric bicycles in China exceeds 350 million units, with large-scale enterprises producing 42.28 million electric bicycles in 2023. Among the new electric bicycle models released by major domestic brands, over 20% are equipped with lithium-ion batteries.
An official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that, as a mandatory national safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles, the technical specification holds significant importance in regulating the design, production, and sales of such batteries and in enhancing product quality and safety levels. It will promote the healthy and orderly development of the electric bicycle industry.
