From February 2025 and e-micromobility ‘devices’ which includes e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, self-balancing scooters with lithium-ion batteries will be ‘declared electrical articles’ and be governed by the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 in NSW. In practice this creates a stronger framework for compliance with safety standards that are required sell legally.
The change follows the New South Wales Coroners Court that reported 275 fires with 26 injuries and evacuations from 876 buildings in 2024. The Coroner launched an inquest and there was a parliamentary inquiry triggering the law. Videos or exploding batteries have also featured increasingly in Australian and international media.
Most reputable brandname e-bikes strictly complied with standards and are less likely to be at risk. While there are no statistics available, the indications are that DIY and budget-level e-bikes are at higher risk of failure and combustion. In Australia a number of untrustworthy operators import and sell poor quality bikes and batteries sourced from disreputable suppliers. Similarly supermarkets who sell budget sports equipment can compromise on quality and safety to save costs and maintain bargain pricing.
“Enforcement” of the new standards begins in in NSW in February 2025 and in August 2025 mandatory testing and certification requirements will be enforced. In February 2026 Mandatory labelling requirement enforced. In practice, compliance requirements for batteries and e-mobility devices become much stricter so seeks to block unregulated and ‘loosely compliant’ equipment.
Across Australia, the states and territories are still playing ‘catch-up’ to create regulations for road use and safety for e-devices, in particular e-scooters. This lag has allowed some operators to take advantages of the gaps and import inferior and unsafe equipment which is typically in the budget price segment.
With the law change for standard and safety compliance of lithium-ion batteries, NSW is leading the charge and advocating for Australia-wide adoption of these regulations from other states and territories,.
The cycling trade organisation, Bicycle Industries Australia is providing information for member businesses and conducting a webinar with the NSW Office of Fair Trading to cover open questions. A key topic for cycling trade is the status of e-bikes in stock that is no-longer compliant or requires certification.
Further information on the new standards:
NSW Government: New standards for lithium-ion batteries in e-micromobility devices
New Safety Standards for e-bikes
For e-bikes with a maximum continuous rated output not exceeding 500 watts:
- AS 15194:2016- Cycles – Electrically power assisted cycles – EPAC Bicycles (also known as pedelecs), or
- EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 – Cycles – Electrically power assisted cycles – EPAC Bicycles, or
- UL 2849 – Electrical systems for eBikes
For e-bikes with a maximum continuous rated output exceeding 500 watts:
- UL 2849 – Electrical systems for eBikes
New Safety Standards for e-bike batteries
- EN 50604-1:2016+A1:2021 – Secondary lithium batteries for light EV (electric vehicle) applications, or
- IEC 62133-2:2017 – Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes- Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications- Part 2: Lithium systems, or
- UL 2271 – Batteries for use in light electric vehicle (LEV) applications
