November 15, 2019 - E-scooters are now a common sight in many of the world’s cities. They answer a need for convenient, shared and sustainable vehicles. There is, however, a question mark over their safety, as newspaper headlines attest. Safety developments have not always kept pace with technology and to rectify this situation, authorities are beginning to develop regulations and guidelines to improve e-scooter safety. Batteries are a principle source of concern, with the issues surrounding lithium-ion batteries being well documented.
Manufacturers can minimize the problems associated with e-scooters by testing their products to the right standards. SGS expert, John Ciliege, looks at some of the standards that can be used by manufacturers.
With battery safety being a major concern, one standard to understand is – ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 – Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices. This specifically covers the electrical systems in personal e-mobility devices, which will often mean hoverboards and electrically powered scooters that are not intended for road use. Its provisions cover recharging capability and ensure the battery operates safely in a variety of temperatures. When this test is used in combination with the UN 38.3 lithium-ion transportation test, manufacturers will find they create a much safer product; a fact that can be promoted to consumers.
If the e-scooter is being designed for road use, then the manufacturer needs to consider the standard UL 2849 – Outline of Investigation for Electric Bicycles, Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPAC Bicycles), Electric Scooters, and Electric Motorcycles. This standard dissects the e-scooter and makes sure each electrical component works with the other parts. In addition, it ensures all electric components have been tested and certified to the right standard. This is especially important in products like e-scooters, as one subpar component can cause a failure and therefore an accident.
The equivalent standard for the European Union and Australia is EN 15194.
Manufacturers will also want to consider performance testing for e-scooters. In a competitive market it is advisable to prove your product is of high quality and can perform to the highest standards. Testing may include wet room tests to demonstrate safe performance in all weather conditions. These can be performed on all electrical components, including the charging stations.
Finally, manufacturers need to consider the fact that e-scooters may not always be used in the designated way. Failure testing can help them to understand how far a product can be pushed before it negatively reacts.
SGS Electrical and Electronic Services
SGS offers e-scooter manufacturers and suppliers a range of testing services to demonstrate safety and compliance with relevant legislation. They also provide performance testing solutions to help manufacturers develop and market high quality products. SGS is the first choice for e-scooter manufacturers looking for a one-stop shop approach to ensuring their products are safe, high quality, and will conform to the regulatory requirements of the target market. To learn more about SGS Electrical and Electronic Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/electrical-and-electronics]
For more information, please contact:
John Ciliege
Global Head of NRTL
Tel: 770 570 1800
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www/sgs.com/ee
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
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