UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES PUBLISHES NEW E-BIKE STANDARDS

Underwriters Laboratories has published a new standard, UL2849, that focuses on pedal-assist and non-pedal-assist e-bikes electrical systems and battery chargers to address specific issues related to those products’ mechanical, electrical and functional safety. The previous standard focused on electronic systems for multiple product types, including e-scooters and e-motorcycles.

Getting UL certification is voluntary, though some manufacturers will only buy and use components that have passed the certification. Panasonic was the first to jump on the bandwagon, and other companies will surely follow suit.

Larry Pizzi, who chairs the PeopleForBikes’ e-bike committee and is the chief commercial officer for Alta Cycling Group, said the new standard has been in development for several years, with a PeopleForBikes’ subcommittee getting involved last year.

“My understanding is that Bosch met the standard requirements when a draft of UL 2849 was first published in 2018,” Pizzi said. “Panasonic, along with a number of other industry players, Bosch, Trek, QBP, SRAM, were part of the standards committee that was refining and voted on the final standard that was just moved to publish status.”

www.ul.com

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