Want to extend the lifespan of your electric bicycle battery? The Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation recently released "Guidelines for the Production, Operation, and Consumer Safety of Storage Batteries for Transportation Vehicles." The guidelines recommend that lead-acid batteries should be fully charged to at least 50% capacity when stored for extended periods, and should be recharged once a month; lithium batteries should be kept between 30% and 50% capacity when stored for extended periods, and should undergo a complete charge-discharge cycle once a month.
In recent years, fires involving batteries used in transportation vehicles have become frequent due to the complex operating environment, unauthorized modifications and splicing, and the inherent characteristics of lithium batteries, posing a serious threat to public health and safety and becoming a focus of public opinion. Currently, batteries supplying power to vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars are mainly divided into two types: lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries. The national and Beijing municipal governments have issued a series of laws, regulations, and standards to regulate and require the quality and safety of battery products, in order to protect consumers' personal health and property safety.
Production and Operation Notice: Batteries with a rated voltage greater than 48V must not be supplied, and assembly or modification is prohibited.
Regarding production and operation, the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation advises that electric vehicle battery products that do not meet the required standards must not be produced or sold. Currently, the standards for batteries used in electric bicycles and electric motorcycles are all recommended standards. It is recommended that manufacturing companies implement these standards or develop and implement company standards that are higher than the national and industry standards.
In addition, some batteries on the market are labeled as complying with the national standard GB31241-2014 "Safety Requirements for Lithium Batteries and Battery Packs for Portable Electronic Products". This standard mainly applies to portable electronic products such as laptops, mobile phones, and cameras, but not to electric bicycles and electric motorcycles.
Battery product labeling should comply with relevant regulations. Product labeling content should include warning signs, Chinese warning instructions, product name, specifications, implementation standards, and other product information that consumers should know in advance.
Operators should establish purchase ledgers, retain purchase vouchers, and accurately record information such as the purchase channels, product information, inspection reports, and supplier contact information for battery products. They must supply batteries that meet the required standards for electric bicycles, and are prohibited from supplying batteries with a rated voltage greater than 48V. They are also prohibited from commercially assembling or modifying batteries for electric bicycles.
For battery products sold on e-commerce platforms, e-commerce operators should clearly indicate the product name, implementation standards, specifications, Chinese warning instructions, and scope of application of the product on the product details page, so as to inform consumers in advance and effectively protect their legitimate rights and interests.
Consumer Tip: If storing lithium batteries for an extended period, they should be fully charged and discharged once a month if they have 30% to 50% charge remaining.
The Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation advises consumers to purchase batteries from reputable physical stores or e-commerce platforms with complete licenses and permits, and to proactively request invoices or other proof of purchase. Consumers should carefully check the product labeling information and applicable scope of the batteries when purchasing, and stay away from batteries without proper labeling, production date, or manufacturer information.
For safety reasons, it is prohibited to add, modify, or replace battery products that do not meet the vehicle's configuration requirements.
When charging, strictly follow the instructions in the user manual. Before charging, turn off the electric bicycle power and remove the key. The charging method and charging time should comply with the product manual. Do not use temporary power lines or sockets for charging. Charging should be carried out in a fixed parking and charging location that complies with national electrical safety regulations.
Meanwhile, maintenance and inspection are crucial. For lead-acid batteries, if stored for extended periods, they should be fully charged to at least 50% capacity and recharged monthly to prevent long-term storage from affecting battery performance and lifespan. For lithium batteries, if stored for extended periods, the charge level should be maintained between 30% and 50%, and a complete charge-discharge cycle should be performed monthly to prevent long-term storage from affecting battery performance, safety, and lifespan. Furthermore, batteries should be inspected, maintained, and replaced at the original brand's designated repair shop or professional repair service unit according to the manufacturer's specifications.
