MICROMOBILITY
There are also further certifications that manufacturers can attain, specifically relating to the electrical and fire safety of e-bikes, and this is something that rental e-bike company Zoomo offers as an option for consumers, as Lisa Conibear, Global commercial director of Zoomo explained. “To offer greater protection and safety for added peace of mind, Zoomo e-bikes can also be delivered with optional UL2271 and UL2849 certifications. These UL certifications bring stricter compliance to the safety of batteries and electrical systems in e-bikes.”
Zoomo commercial director, Lisa Conibear FIRE HAZARD?
As sales of e-bikes and e-scooters continue to soar, manufacturers need to reassure consumers that their products are safe. Rebecca Bland explores the fi re safety question in the micromobility market
L
ithium-ion batteries have been present in our devices and technologies for years, but with the growth of electric bikes and scooters, a magnifying
glass has been placed over their safety, particularly as a potential fire hazard. From a statistical perspective, it is very unlikely that a reputable battery or charger will catch fire or overheat, but, with recent media exposure over the rare cases, both retailers and consumers need to have confidence in their electrical transportation, so I spoke to brands and industry experts about battery safety in e-bikes and e-scooters. As it stands, the EN15194 certification is mandatory in many countries and, according to the European Committee for Standardisation, “is intended to cover all common significant hazards, hazardous situations and events of electrically power-assisted bicycles, when used as intended and under condition of misuse that are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer”.
www.bikebiz.com
The commercial market Zoomo e-bikes are available to rent or buy, and it found that a large portion of their consumer base is couriers, who typically ride for longer periods throughout the day. So how does Zoomo ensure its batteries are up to scratch for high riding loads? “Zoomo also makes certain that its manufacturers use a
semi-automated or automated manufacturing process to ensure manufacturing quality, and that that manufacturer is ISO 9001 certified. We ensure that the battery and charger comply with all relevant safety standards, e.g. UL2271, ISO 13849-1 and 13849-2, 60950-1, as well as ensuring it supports fleet analytics e.g. data transmission via IoT to Zoomo backend. “Additionally, the battery must be designed for commercial use-case and environmental conditions (high temp – low temp, vibration, UV exposure). This is especially important when Zoomo’s core customer base of delivery riders are often spending full days on their bikes, and need a battery that not only guarantees they can stay on the road longer and earn more but importantly, do it on a safe vehicle.” It’s safe to assume that reputable
brands and retailers have done their homework when it comes to battery safety, choosing the best tier of cells they can for the application, and with stringent testing available for peace of mind, consumers can make more informed decisions. The trouble largely lies, unfortunately, with less regulated batteries and chargers making their
November 2022 | 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
