ZIV position:
Standardised charging system for e-bikes
9 January 2025
Could a standardised charging system for e-bikes help us achieve our goals set for sustainability and consumer friendliness? Some efforts to achieve standardisation may have potential – take public charging stations, for example. However, the focus remains on battery safety and innovation in a dynamic market, whereby blanket regulation for private charging is not deemed necessary.
Could a standardised charging system for e-bikes help us achieve our goals set for sustainability and consumer friendliness? Some efforts to achieve standardisation may have potential – take public charging stations, for example. However, the focus remains on battery safety and innovation in a dynamic market, whereby blanket regulation for private charging is not deemed necessary.
Background
In EU Regulation 2023/1542 on batteries, the European Commission is instructed to assess by 1 January 2025 how harmonised standards for a uniform charging system could best be applied or introduced for batteries for light means of transport (LMT). LMT batteries are used in e-bikes, among other products.
While the bicycle industry comprises many companies of different sizes, medium-sized companies make up the majority. Further positive development and expansion of the bicycle industry and thus the continued spread of e-bikes as a sustainable means of transport without first imposing regulatory restrictions with a standardised charging system is crucial to encourage and drive innovation and technological progress.
A standardised charging system is needed to ensure interoperability between chargers and LMT batteries. This could include the standardisation – and thus the harmonisation – of various charging system components, including the plugs, AC/DC conversion, cables, connectors, controllers, communication protocols or battery management systems to ensure compatibility and compliance with specific requirements.
While the bicycle industry comprises many companies of different sizes, medium-sized companies make up the majority. Further positive development and expansion of the bicycle industry and thus the continued spread of e-bikes as a sustainable means of transport without first imposing regulatory restrictions with a standardised charging system is crucial to encourage and drive innovation and technological progress.
A standardised charging system is needed to ensure interoperability between chargers and LMT batteries. This could include the standardisation – and thus the harmonisation – of various charging system components, including the plugs, AC/DC conversion, cables, connectors, controllers, communication protocols or battery management systems to ensure compatibility and compliance with specific requirements.
Findings on LMT charging
Consumers mostly charge their LMT batteries at home (private charging); charging in public spaces is rare (public charging). As a rule, the capacities that LMT batteries currently offer are more than sufficient for most journeys. It is important to note here is that e-bikes can still be cycled when the battery is flat simply by pedalling.
Lithium-ion batteries and safety aspects
LMT batteries are considered Class 9 dangerous substances according to the UN transport regulations. They are usually stored and charged in private homes when not in use. The lithium-ion batteries typically used in e-bikes are complex, finely calibrated systems with a high energy capacity and contain potentially flammable components.
As the bicycle industry, we take our responsibility for the associated risks very seriously. Hence we consider all aspects of battery safety – including the design of the electrical system and use of e-bikes – and take the applicable safety standards and legal regulations into account. We pay particular attention to the charging and discharging phases of batteries, including the battery and charger hardware and software. It is particularly important to monitor the charging of batteries with a high energy capacity at home.
As the bicycle industry, we take our responsibility for the associated risks very seriously. Hence we consider all aspects of battery safety – including the design of the electrical system and use of e-bikes – and take the applicable safety standards and legal regulations into account. We pay particular attention to the charging and discharging phases of batteries, including the battery and charger hardware and software. It is particularly important to monitor the charging of batteries with a high energy capacity at home.
Private charging scenarios
Regardless of whether consumers buy their e-bike from a local retailer or online, it is always sold with a suitable charger. High-quality chargers have a long service life, which often exceeds that of the battery, as batteries are subject to cyclical and natural calendar ageing processes.
The electrified range of e-bikes is normally sufficient for most users’ daily journeys or sporting activities. Hence LMT batteries are usually charged at home, either by removing the battery pack or by charging it while still attached to the e-bike. The charging port of LMT batteries and on e-bikes in particular is designed to be very robust, as it can be exposed to wet, dust, mud and even salty conditions as well as to considerable vibrations while riding. It is moreover often not only used for charging, but also for discharging the battery while cycling.
The electrified range of e-bikes is normally sufficient for most users’ daily journeys or sporting activities. Hence LMT batteries are usually charged at home, either by removing the battery pack or by charging it while still attached to the e-bike. The charging port of LMT batteries and on e-bikes in particular is designed to be very robust, as it can be exposed to wet, dust, mud and even salty conditions as well as to considerable vibrations while riding. It is moreover often not only used for charging, but also for discharging the battery while cycling.
R&D in Europe
E-bike manufacturers and parts suppliers in Europe and beyond are using significant R&D resources and making considerable investments to develop safe battery charging processes for e-bikes. While it may seem counterproductive for different parts manufacturers to design different charging ports, due to the potential risks associated with charging, these design choices ensure that the correct charger is connected to the correct battery to enable safe charging. The London Fire Brigade also explicitly emphasises: «Always use the correct charger for your batteries and buy any replacements from a reputable seller.»
Sustainability aspects
The potentially positive impact on sustainability is also cited as an argument in favour of standardised charging systems. While the European Union’s approach of mandating a standardised charging plug for consumer electronics may appear to yield similar advantages for e-bikes, this is not actually the case. The difference lies in the nature of these products.
Consumer electronic devices in our homes, such as smartphones, tablets and other devices, typically have similar batteries and charging needs. As these devices are replaced frequently, chargers accumulate over time. By establishing a standard such as USB-C for charging such devices, the number of chargers consumers need can be reduced. This in turn has a positive impact on sustainability.
However, the LMT batteries in e-bikes are used very differently and also have very different technical properties. For one, the service life of e-bikes is significantly longer than that of consumer electronics and, for another, the battery has a significantly higher capacity and thus also the associated requirements for charging and discharging. What’s more, the charger is an integral part of the charging system’s safety architecture.
The potential for sustainability benefits through standardised charging plugs is therefore significantly lower. To ensure a balanced approach, the potential sustainability benefits of mandatory standardised charging plugs should be explored in detail with a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.
Consumer electronic devices in our homes, such as smartphones, tablets and other devices, typically have similar batteries and charging needs. As these devices are replaced frequently, chargers accumulate over time. By establishing a standard such as USB-C for charging such devices, the number of chargers consumers need can be reduced. This in turn has a positive impact on sustainability.
However, the LMT batteries in e-bikes are used very differently and also have very different technical properties. For one, the service life of e-bikes is significantly longer than that of consumer electronics and, for another, the battery has a significantly higher capacity and thus also the associated requirements for charging and discharging. What’s more, the charger is an integral part of the charging system’s safety architecture.
The potential for sustainability benefits through standardised charging plugs is therefore significantly lower. To ensure a balanced approach, the potential sustainability benefits of mandatory standardised charging plugs should be explored in detail with a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.
Potential impact
Any decision by the European Commission in favour of a standardised battery charger for private use (using portable chargers) could have a negative impact on the European e-bike ecosystem in the short to medium term. Such a decision could jeopardise important developments to ensure battery (and thus also consumer) safety and prevent innovation, including sustainability benefits.
An appropriate standard or technical specification does not currently exist for this. While the bicycle industry sees no immediate need for a standardised charging system for private charging, it remains open to discussions on potential benefits and the development of a standardised charging system based on a new European standardisation mandate that takes all relevant safety requirements into account.
An appropriate standard or technical specification does not currently exist for this. While the bicycle industry sees no immediate need for a standardised charging system for private charging, it remains open to discussions on potential benefits and the development of a standardised charging system based on a new European standardisation mandate that takes all relevant safety requirements into account.
Public charging scenarios
Since most e-bikes are charged at home, there are only a few use cases where public charging infrastructure and possibly also an interoperable charging interface would be beneficial to e-bike users. These include charging at hotels, at restaurants during cycling trips and charging services offered by employers to encourage commuting by bike. Various charging solutions are currently at different stages of development, some of which are already on the market or in the final stages of development.
The ZIV believes that it is crucial at this stage to emphasise the specific framework conditions of a shared public charging infrastructure in order to define technical requirements on a sound basis. A well-established market is essential for the successful introduction of public charging solutions. Hence the first step that the industry is currently working on is to find a solution that enables different charging and plug systems from different manufacturers to communicate safely with a public charging station, regardless of the brand and model. The focus should be on ensuring that the millions of e-bikes already on the market can be charged using public charging infrastructure.
While it may be a long-term vision for the introduction of a public charging solution to also become a common standard for private charging, the viability of any solution must first be demonstrated in the market. Public charging nonetheless remains a relatively negligible use case for e-bike charging.
A possible charging solution is described in the IEC TS 61851-3-x and IEC TS 62196-4 technical specifications, however these have not received sufficient support from the e-bike industry, e-bike sharing sector and other stakeholders to be adopted as a standard. They also found little acceptance among economic stakeholders.
It is important to emphasise here that the mere existence of technical specifications does not oblige manufacturers to implement a solution, nor does it prevent them from using other interoperable solutions. The IEC TS 61851-3-x and IEC TS 62196-4 series are not legally binding.
The ZIV believes that it is crucial at this stage to emphasise the specific framework conditions of a shared public charging infrastructure in order to define technical requirements on a sound basis. A well-established market is essential for the successful introduction of public charging solutions. Hence the first step that the industry is currently working on is to find a solution that enables different charging and plug systems from different manufacturers to communicate safely with a public charging station, regardless of the brand and model. The focus should be on ensuring that the millions of e-bikes already on the market can be charged using public charging infrastructure.
While it may be a long-term vision for the introduction of a public charging solution to also become a common standard for private charging, the viability of any solution must first be demonstrated in the market. Public charging nonetheless remains a relatively negligible use case for e-bike charging.
A possible charging solution is described in the IEC TS 61851-3-x and IEC TS 62196-4 technical specifications, however these have not received sufficient support from the e-bike industry, e-bike sharing sector and other stakeholders to be adopted as a standard. They also found little acceptance among economic stakeholders.
It is important to emphasise here that the mere existence of technical specifications does not oblige manufacturers to implement a solution, nor does it prevent them from using other interoperable solutions. The IEC TS 61851-3-x and IEC TS 62196-4 series are not legally binding.
Summary
While the bicycle industry does not see an immediate need for a standardised charging system for the private charging of LMT batteries, it remains open to discussions on potential benefits and the development of a standardised charging system based on a new standardisation mandate from the European Commission that takes all relevant safety conditions into account.
Every charging system must guarantee a level of safely equivalent to the level provided by the existing proprietary solutions. There is no evidence of significant sustainability benefits. To ensure a balanced approach, the potential sustainability benefits of a mandatory standardised charging system should be explored in a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.
The IEC TS 61851-3-x and IEC TS 62196-4 technical specifications are insufficient for the e-bike industry, hence our members do not support them. The e-bike industry is committed to finding solutions for public charging and a number of common solutions are already under development. Hence the bicycle industry does not currently see any immediate need for legislative measures by the European Union.
Every charging system must guarantee a level of safely equivalent to the level provided by the existing proprietary solutions. There is no evidence of significant sustainability benefits. To ensure a balanced approach, the potential sustainability benefits of a mandatory standardised charging system should be explored in a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.
The IEC TS 61851-3-x and IEC TS 62196-4 technical specifications are insufficient for the e-bike industry, hence our members do not support them. The e-bike industry is committed to finding solutions for public charging and a number of common solutions are already under development. Hence the bicycle industry does not currently see any immediate need for legislative measures by the European Union.
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Document created | 09.01.25