As Used Car Batteries Flood Electric Bicycle Market, There is Urgent Need for Regulation (AI Translation)

【周刊提前读】旧汽车电池流入电动自行车市场 电池生产流通环节亟待监管

Electric bicycles have become a staple in urban transportation across China, offering an affordable and convenient mode of travel for millions. As of 2023, there are over 350 million electric bicycles in use, primarily facilitated by the production of 42.28 million units by major domestic enterprises [para. 1][para. 2]. Despite their popularity, the rise in electric bicycle usage has been accompanied by an alarming increase in related fire incidents. In 2023 alone, there were 21,000 reported fires, marking a significant rise from previous years [para. 3].

A tragic fire in Nanjing in February 2024 underscored the severity of the issue when it claimed the lives of 15 people due to improperly stored electric bicycles [para. 4]. This incident prompted governmental action with Premier Li Qiang initiating a comprehensive safety rectification plan targeting the entire production and usage chain of electric bicycles [para. 5].

The core issue fueling these fires is identified as substandard lithium batteries used in these bikes. Many of these batteries are sourced from retired new energy vehicle batteries or defective products that are repurposed through informal recycling channels. This practice began around 2018 when the first batch of such vehicle batteries reached their end-of-life phase [para. 6][para. 7]. The lack of stringent regulations and oversight allows these inferior quality batteries to flood the market, often assembled in small workshops and sold through e-commerce platforms or offline stores [para. 8].

In response to this growing crisis, local governments have implemented measures such as banning indoor charging of electric bicycles and promoting centralized charging stations within communities. However, these solutions face challenges including slow implementation and resistance from property owners due to space constraints [para. 9]. Moreover, shared electric bicycle systems have been suggested as an alternative to personal ownership to reduce risk and improve battery management [para. 10].

Regulatory bodies have ramped up efforts to curb the circulation of substandard batteries by conducting spot checks and shutting down non-compliant manufacturers. Yet, many companies evade these regulations by relocating operations across provincial lines or temporarily halting production only to resume once regulatory scrutiny subsides [para. 11].

The article highlights that a fundamental solution lies in controlling the source—ensuring proper recycling and utilization of retired power batteries from new energy vehicles. Only about 7.4% of scrapped power batteries were officially recycled in 2018, leaving a vast majority potentially entering illegal manufacturing streams for electric bicycle batteries [para. 12].

To address this systemic issue effectively requires a multi-faceted approach involving stricter enforcement against illegal battery assembly operations, enhanced traceability systems for battery sales, and more robust consumer education on safety practices. Additionally, integrating technologies like anti-tampering devices and mutual recognition systems between batteries and vehicles could help mitigate risks associated with battery swapping models prevalent among delivery services [para. 13].

Overall, while electric bicycles offer significant benefits for urban mobility, ensuring their safe operation is crucial. This involves not only improving product safety standards but also enhancing regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements and market dynamics within China's rapidly evolving electric bicycle industry [para. 14].