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China Adopts New Li-Ion Battery Pack Production Standards

China aims to reduce the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries with 22 new rules, but the rules will only apply to their domestic market.

China Adopting New Li-Ion Battery Pack Production Standards

China has announced that the country is instituting new technical standards for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. The new technical standards encompass all lithium-ion batteries, from those used in smartphones to the ones in EVs and, yes, those in e-bikes and other micromobility devices.

The new technical standards are intended to address the risk of thermal runaway and fires. There are 22 standards being adopted. They cover issues including: over-charging, over-discharging, punctures, external short-circuits, thermal abuse and more.

Manufacturers are being given time to make the production changes necessary to meet these requirements. Enforcement will not begin until November 1, 2024.

Unfortunately, the new standard will only apply to China’s domestic market. Lithium-ion batteries produced exclusively with the intent to export will not be required to meet these rules.

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It’s hard not to draw conclusions about how the government of China views foreign markets if they are willing to establish higher safety standards for products aimed at domestic customers. Congress is considering new regulations, so we may see the U.S. demand standards similar to what China will enforce in their domestic market.

Manufacturers that have been producing the cheapest products they can bring to market will continue to do so. In some instances, products that were sold both domestically and abroad will simply be sold abroad; the manufacturers will face a smaller overall market, but they will have more product to ship overseas, so we may see cheap products in greater numbers, which may drive down prices on the most questionable e-mobility devices.

Manufacturers that have consistently produced quality products will continue to do good work. We may not see batteries produced to these specifications on U.S. shores any time soon, though. Why? With many manufacturers seeking UL certification, a change to a battery means submitting that new design to UL for certification, a not inexpensive proposition. When a manufacturer releases a new product (such as a potted battery or even one with a greater charge capacity), they will need to submit that battery or system to UL for certification. At that point we may begin to see batteries made to these standards in our stores.

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Flyer Via Pro Review | Don’t Put the Wagon Before the Horse

This powerful, long-distance cargo e-bike is family-friendly right out of the box!

Flyer Via Pro E-Bike Review
As the e-bike equivalent of a minivan, cargo e-bikes can be a great alternative means of transport for running errands, taking the kids to school, swinging by the farmer’s market or corner store, and otherwise living your life to the fullest. Most, however, require additional purchases to be outfitted for their rider’s specific needs.

The Flyer Via Pro can make these use cases far more practical thanks to its included accessories, customization options, high weight capacity, and more. This Flyer Via Pro review details our thoughts on the bike’s feel, function, and real-world performance.

With a weight capacity of 400 lbs, a fully-loaded Via Pro needs a powerful motor to carry its payload. Fortunately, Flyer specced the bike with a brawny 750W rear hub motor with power to spare. The bike performed extremely well in a few key areas of our testing thanks to this decision, and we also appreciated the natural pedal feel from the motor’s torque sensor.

To alleviate range anxiety, the bike also includes a 687 watt hour (Wh) battery paired with its efficient motor. See our Range Test section below for details, but we recorded one of the longest results we’ve observed from any of the cargo e-bikes we tested previously.

We liked that Flyer included seating, foot boards, wheel guards, and even their “Kid & Cargo Carrier Hoop” handrail attachment with the base model; the Via Pro is ready for family rides right out of the box. Of course, the bike is still compatible with a myriad of other optional accessories including removable tote bags, a front basket, and even a soft passenger compartment/canopy – but the starting point is better than most.

Our takeaway was overwhelmingly positive, though we have a few points of critique to be aware of. To learn more about the Via Pro’s features and performance results in our standardized tests, continue reading our full review below.

[Read more…] about Flyer Via Pro Review | Don’t Put the Wagon Before the Horse

Out With Lithium-Based Batteries, In With…Water-Based Ones?

The battery uses iodine and bromine and offers impressive energy density.

Out With Lithium-Based Batteries, In With...Water-Based Ones?

What if we didn’t have to mine gigatons of lithium out of the ground in order to make batteries? After all, batteries haven’t always used lithium. And what if—stay with me—we used water, instead?

It sounds like the plot of a ridiculous sci-fi movie, except for the fact that it’s not. Scientists in China have created a battery that uses water as a primary component in the battery.

Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, led by professor Li Xianfeng, created a water-based battery that uses a mixed halogen solution. Bromine and iodine were used to create a multi-electron cathode—the negative side of the battery.

Aside from the obvious advantage of using something far more plentiful than lithium, the aqueous battery proved to be very energy dense, providing specific capacity of 840Ah/L (amp-hours per liter) and energy density of up to 1200Wh/L (watt-hours per liter).

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The typical lithium-ion battery found in an e-bike is estimated to run in the neighborhood of 150-200Wh/kg. Even doubling an e-bike’s energy density would relieve most e-bike owners of any anxiety they feel about range.

The distance between publishing a study in Nature Energy and bringing a commercial product to market is vast, but studies like this give a glimpse of what our future holds.

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What Are Your Thoughts On Solar-Powered Cargo Bikes?

Infinite Mobility has begun circulating samples of its solar cargo e-bike to European distributors ahead of launching full production.

What Are Your Thoughts On Solar-Powered Cargo Bikes

Infinite Mobility is a Norwegian startup focusing on a variety of EVs, including cargo e-bikes. They have built what is possibly the world’s first cargo e-bike sporting solar panels. And they haven’t built just one. They’ve sent out prototypes to a number of retailers and distributors in Europe ahead of their plan to put the e-bikes into full production.

The prototypes are for the first model they plan to launch, called Inga. This two-wheel cargo e-bike will have a top speed of 25km/h (15 mph) and will be equipped with either two or three solar panels, depending on configuration—either both sides of the box or both sides, plus a cover on top.

Inga can produce as much as 163Wp, that is, a peak of 163 watts in ideal conditions. Inga comes with a 594Wh battery which Infinite Mobility estimates can be fully recharged by the photovoltaic cells (PV) in just a few hours of bright sunshine. In terms of range, they estimate that the PV cells could offer as much as 50km (31 mi.) of range per day.

Even without the PV, Inga is a very interesting cargo e-bike. It features a motor that produces up to 100Nm of torque. It uses an Enviolo heavy duty gearbox, disc brakes front and rear. It’s built with a steel frame and offers riders a total capacity of 250kg (551 lbs.). On cloudy days, the 594Wh battery should offer riders as much as 60km (40 mi.) of range.

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With Inga, Infinite Mobility introduced a fascinating take on the possibilities afforded with a box-type cargo e-bike. If solar panels can improve an e-bike’s range and/or dependence on being recharged via the electrical grid, who wouldn’t be in favor of that.

The question that can only be answered with real-world testing is how effective the panels can be. PV technology is notoriously sensitive to its orientation to the sun—it’s not enough to put some panels outside. And with panels on either side of Inga’s box, that guarantees that one set of PV cells won’t be getting direct sunlight when the other is.

This isn’t a criticism of Infinite Mobility’s efforts. We applaud anyone aiming at greater efficiency and freedom from the electrical grid. Even though PV technology is sensitive to a variety of conditions, it is certain that PV technology will improve and that will make a use case such as Inga ever-more compelling.

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QuietKat Unveils “Unprecedented Features” On New Apex HD & XD

QuietKat returns with a new edition of its Apex model. The Apex HD features a mid-drive motor with two gears, while the Apex XD features one with five gears.

QuietKat Unveils Unprecedented Features On New Apex HD & XD

QuietKat has just announced updates to its Apex model, the Apex HD and Apex XD. These are new takes on QuietKat’s popular hardtail, fat-tire e-bike which we reviewed earlier this year. The Apex HD and XD share many of the same features, but differ in a few key ways.

Both the Apex HD and Apex XD feature a 1000W mid-drive motor from Bafang that produces a gargantuan 200Nm of torque; power maxes out at 1500W. And both motors feature multi-speed systems that allow them to automatically shift gears at designated speeds. The Apex HD features a two-speed mid-drive motor that automatically shifts based on the rider’s speed, while the Apex XD features a 5-speed drivetrain. With the 2-speed motor, the motor changes gears automatically at 11 mph. No word yet on at what speeds the 5-speed motor shifts.

QuietKat says the Apex features a moto-inspired chain to handle all that power. They’ve replaced the thumb-button throttle with a twist throttle, which they saw will offer a greater ability to control your speed.

QuietKat has also introduced a new modular frame design for the Apex that allows the heavy duty rear rack to be removed and replaced with other accessories. The company boasts that the Apex frame features 118 attachment points and while that doesn’t mean you can attach 118 different items to the Apex (even a water bottle cage requires two bolts), it does mean that it comes with an unusual level of adaptability.

The new frame comes in both step-over and step-thru configurations and also features a larger down tube that allows buyers to order the Apex HD or XD with a 30Ah, 48V (1440Wh) battery, which may be the largest internal battery available on the market. They estimate that riders will be able to cover as much as 90 mi. per charge. It comes with a 720Wh battery as standard equipment.

Both versions of the Apex come with 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, a 120mm suspension fork, 26 x 4.8-in. Kenda Juggernaut tires and a dropper post that will make going down steep descents much easier.

With the new motor, the Apex also adds two more ride modes to the standard offering of Eco, Trail and Boost. Stealth mode quiets motor operation to make approaching a hunting blind or deer stand almost silent. Climb mode keeps the motor relegated to its lowest gear and puts the motor’s full 1500W on tap for climbing any steep hill the rider encounters.

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QuietKat Unveils Unprecedented Features On New Apex HD & XD

The release of any new product is always accompanied by a number of glowing claims by the manufacturer and there can be little doubt that the Apex HD (which starts at just less than $3000) and the Apex XD (which starts at just less than $4500) are impressive.

One claim needs a bit of clarification. They claim that the chain is a motorcycle chain; it’s KMC’s new eCargo chain which was developed for single-speed cargo e-bikes and has an ultimate tensile strength of 1350kgf, which is roughly 50 percent higher than most multi-speed drivetrain chains, but we still wonder if it can handle 1500W at 200Nm.

It’s important to note that the Apex needs to be switched to Class 1 operation—a maximum of 20 mph and no throttle assistance—to be legal on most trail systems, bike paths and bike lanes.

The QuietKat Apex HD and Apex XD are available for preorder now. QuietKat will begin shipping the Apex June 1, 2024.

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Europe To Up Its Safety Standards For Commercial Cargo E-Bikes Due To Increased Use

Broken frames hidden from regulators resulted in a criminal investigation in the Netherlands.

Europe To Up Its Safety Standards For Commercial Cargo E-Bikes Due To Increased Use

Babboe, a maker of cargo bikes and cargo e-bikes, recently issued a recall of 22,000 of its cargo bikes and e-bikes due to frame failures and hairline cracks appearing in the frames. The company has been accused of trying to hide the severity and extent of the problem by hiding broken frames from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The episode has been dubbed “cargobikegate,” and has spawned a criminal investigation. It has also been cited as an example for why Europe has needed more stringent testing standards for cargo bikes and cargo e-bikes sold in the EU.

Those calling for increased safety will soon see new standards implemented. The new rules, set forth in EN 17860, will differentiate between cargo e-bikes in private vs. those in commercial use. The standard will also cover “double-track” cargo bikes and e-bikes (trikes) as well as electric trailers.

Among the changes in testing will be an increase in the number of cycles when testing for pedaling force. Previously the test was conducted for 100,000 cycles, but now it has doubled to 200,000.

If the e-bike is to be used commercially, i.e., as a work device, the relevant rules for ergonomics will also be enforced. Cargo e-bikes will be tested for stability at speeds of 15km/h and 25km/h with a 1-3 percent downslope on a dry surface and with a wind speed of less than 3m/s. The test will be performed three times: rider only, rider with 50 percent weight capacity and rider with 100 percent weight capacity. The stability standard will also take into account how stable the cargo e-bike is when parked. The tests will be performed with no load and 100 percent loaded.

These standards relate to the design of the cargo bike or e-bike itself, and not to the electronics. The electronics, including both battery and motor, for cargo e-bikes will still be evaluated according to EN 15194, an existing standard that all e-bikes sold in the EU are required to meet.

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Babboe is owned by Pon, one of the largest cycling conglomerates on the planet, and news that they had attempted to minimize the extent of the problems with their frames by hiding broken frames from investigators was a huge shock in a country where cargo bikes and e-bikes are a staple among families with young kids. Parents were understandably outraged by the thought that their cargo e-bike could break and dump their kids to the ground.

That separate standards have been established for cargo e-bikes that are privately owned vs. those used commercially is understandable. A cargo e-bike used commercially is going to receive a great deal more abuse than one owned by a family. The question is whether manufacturers will see a reason to make separate products for commercial vs. private use or just build all of their cargo machines with enough backbone to stand up to commercial use.

While there is no indication that authorities here in the U.S. are considering more stringent standards, it seems likely that many cargo e-bikes imported into the U.S. will conform to the EU standards, increasing consumer safety here in the U.S.

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Michigan Looks at E-Bike Use in State Parks

The Department of Natural Resources may grant increased access to Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on more than 3000 miles of trails.

Michigan Looks at E-Bike Use in State Parks

There are more than 3000 miles of trails in Michigan’s state parks. And e-bikes may soon be allowed on them. Currently, the trail systems are open for nonmotorized use—hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission recently met to consider allowing Class 1 e-bikes to be ridden on nonmotorized trails, which would include single track and other unimproved trails.

Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on improved-surface trails; those are trails that have been paved or are covered in gravel. The new proposal would open these improved-surface trails to Class 2 e-bikes—those with a maximum pedal-assist speed of 20 mph, plus a throttle. Class 3 e-bikes, which have a maximum pedal-assist speed of 28 mph, would continue to be prohibited from use on state park land.

The proposal seems likely to go through, considering recent comments by Tim Novak, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources state trail coordinator.

“This change would make trails more accessible for people who may not have the physical ability to ride a traditional bike,” Novak said. “This would include individuals living with disabilities, older adults and really anyone who wishes to experience some assistance as they ride a bicycle. Class 1 e-bikes require pedaling, providing a great health benefit to riders.”

According to Novak, Michigan has studied how other states have handled e-bikes.

“We have benchmarked other states and local trail systems that allow e-bikes on natural surface, nonmotorized trails, and what we found was there haven’t been issues with conflicts or injuries or unnecessary wear and tear on our natural resources which would cause any reservation in expanding e-bike use,” Novak said.

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That Michigan seems ready to grant e-bikes access to the trail systems throughout the state is a significant development for the e-bike world. Most states have yet to grant Class 1 e-bikes access to nonmotorized trails in state parks. In some places Class 1 e-bikes can ride improved (paved, cinder or gravel) trails, but Class 2 e-bikes can’t.

If Michigan grants Class 1 e-bikes access to nonmotorized trails and Class 2 e-bikes access to improved trails, the move will make Michigan one of the most e-bike friendly states in the country. With access to so many miles of trails, it could change the state’s fortunes as a summertime tourist destination.

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PSA: We Need More Education About Charging Safety

There’s more to charging your e-bike than buying from a reputable manufacturer.

PSA: We Need More Education About Charging Safety

As adoption of EVs, e-bikes and other e-mobility devices has increased, the number of reports of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries powering these machines has increased. The good news is that the e-bike industry has taken the issue seriously and we’re seeing an increasing number of manufacturers secure UL certification for their batteries and systems. That’s been a terrific development, but it doesn’t eliminate the wisdom of taking certain precautions to protect yourself, your family, your home and, yes, your e-bike by engaging in good charging hygiene. The photo above would be a great example of what not to do.

A study released by Underwriter’s Laboratories revealed that not only do most people not know the composition of a lithium-ion battery, but a whopping 49 percent of us charge our e-bike in a location that blocks our exit path.

There are certain practices that e-bike owners can and should follow when charging. In our article we will outline the steps that users should take any time they charge their e-bike’s battery. We have 14 recommendations that will help reduce the chance of a problem when charging.

Battery hygiene checklist

We’ve consulted with top experts in the industry in assembling our recommendations. This list compiles the responses we received from experts when we asked them: What do you want consumers to know about charging their e-bike?

Here are the steps they recommend:

1. Use only the charger that came with the battery or e-bike.

2. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.

3. Charge indoors in a place where the temperature will remain between 50 F and 77 F (10 C–25 C)

4. Select a location with good air circulation to keep the charger cool while charging

5. Plug the charger into the e-bike or battery first, then plug the charger in the wall; this prevents the possibility of an arc that could damage electronic components

6. Plug the charger directly into an outlet; do not use extension cords or power strips.

7. Make sure there are no flammable materials near the battery and charger.

8. Never charge when no one is present.

9. Do not leave the battery charging overnight. Once the battery is charged, disconnect it from the charger.

10. For the forgetful, use a timer to turn off the charger after four to six hours.

11. Mount a smoke detector above the charging area.

12. Never try to use or charge a damaged or defective battery.

13. Buy quality batteries. Not used, cheap, or reconditioned batteries.

14. Be sure whoever is present understands that such a fire requires a rapid evacuation.

Follow those steps and the chance that you’ll ever have an issue will be minimal.

We need to remind everyone that lithium-ion batteries don’t have an unlimited lifespan. Following several years of daily or near-daily use, an e-bike’s battery will need to be replaced. We have some recommendations for you to follow when the time comes to replace your e-bike’s battery:

It’s time to replace your battery if:

1. If the battery’s capacity has dropped by 25 percent or more, it’s time. Practically speaking, that means if the e-bike used to cover 20 mi. in PAS 5, but now covers only 15, it’s time.

2. If the battery is hot to the touch at any time, whether riding, charging or in storage. Thermal runaway can begin at 233 F internally. A battery that is hot to the touch is trouble.

3. If the display shows error messages related to the battery, that is likely a sign that it has reached the end of its life.

4. If there is a loss in other performance metrics besides range, such as slower acceleration or an inability to hit top speed, that battery is at the end of its life.

5. If the battery exhibits a sudden drop in voltage; when this happens a rider will experience a sudden decrease in speed—that battery is compromised.

6. If the casing bulges, swells or exhibits cracks, it needs to be replaced.

7. If the battery produces smoke, a burning smell or any other foul odor, whether in storage, while charging or in use, it needs to go.

8. Signs of corrosion on the battery or charger contacts are signs the battery is compromised.

9. If the battery charges quickly and discharges quickly, resulting in a loss of range, it should be retired.

10. If the battery becomes fully immersed in water—as in under water, not rain—that can cause corrosion and compromise the battery; replace it.

Any one of these signs provides sufficient cause to replace the battery. Multiple signs aren’t necessary, but more than one makes replacement more urgent.

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Fundamentally, we think e-bikes are safe, otherwise we wouldn’t be so bullish about them. We simply wouldn’t be enthusiastic about recommending something you’re not convinced is safe.

Side note: This is one of the reasons we do long-term evaluations as often as possible on the e-bikes we test. Most products are great in the first few months you own them; when problems arise, they usually surface only after months of use.

Follow these guidelines and it is unlikely that you’ll ever have an issue with your e-bike’s battery. These practices will also help prolong its life, giving everyone an extra incentive to devote a little energy to make sure that your battery is being charged in the best possible environment.

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New York Residents: Try Not To Mind The Tiny Truck In Your Bike Lanes

Cargo e-bikes making final-mile trips may prove the future for delivery in dense urban environments in an effort to cut the number of big delivery trucks.

New York Residents: Try Not To Mind The Tiny Truck In Your Bike Lanes

We recently reported on “eQuad” e-bikes that joined UPS’s delivery fleet in the United Kingdom. Now, the city of New York has announced that it is testing a similar delivery vehicle. Meant to be a model for delivery companies such as UPS, Amazon and FedEx, the eQuad, conforms to new rules New York issued in March.

The new rules are remarkably generous; they stipulate that a cargo e-bike can be as much as: 16 feet long, 7 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide. The prototype, called Cargi B thanks to an online poll, was made by Montana-based Coaster Cycles, which makes several different cargo e-trikes as well as a trailer. Cargo e-bikes are restricted to a maximum speed of 15 mph in New York.

Occupying four feet of a bike lane or bike path that may be only eight or nine feet wide will make things crowded, but New York is addressing things from an infrastructure standpoint as well. Bike lanes on Third, Ninth and Tenth avenues have already been widened to 10 ft.

New York begins congestion pricing June 30. Trucks traveling below 60th Ave. can be charged as much as $36 per day. The city is also looking to develop what it calls “Blue Highways.”

Referring to the city’s waterways, the Blue Highways initiative is meant to encourage delivery companies to utilize the water as a means of delivery to a distribution center, from which cargo e-bikes would make the final delivery.

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In delivery lingo, “Last mile” refers to the final portion of delivery, the point at which large-scale distribution starts to become an issue in terms of traffic congestion and parking. Reducing this impact eases traffic for other users.

Conceivably, Amazon or UPS could set up distribution centers at several piers and move packages from a central warehouse to the distribution centers on the water, eliminating all those brown and gray trucks on the city’s roads and then use cargo e-bikes to make deliveries to the packages’ final destination.

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Lectric XPeak Review | Big, Burly, Surprisingly Quiet

The eMTB standard of durability adds peace of mind, while the quiet motor is a peaceful ride.

Lectric XPeak E-Bike Review
Choosing just one e-bike is hard. There are different styles for a reason. Some are great for commutes, some are great for trails, and some are great and carrying a lot of items. Affording one in each category will run up quite the tab, and fill up your garage quickly too.

That’s why versatile e-bikes like the Lectric XPeak are pretty handy. The bike’s fat tires and powerful motor make for fun and stable rides. The included lights and fenders keep you seen and clean, on commutes while you can throw on a rack for bringing gear.

But the fun begins when heading off the paved roads. I see tons of fat tire e-bikes touted as all-terrain capable, and many are, but they have limits to my trust since a lot of them use no-name parts. The XPeak was impressive since it went with a stout RST Renegade fork, and even tested the whole bike to eMTB standards of durability. Frankly, it did feel pretty capable on the fire roads I roamed.

[Read more…] about Lectric XPeak Review | Big, Burly, Surprisingly Quiet

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