영국, 규정을 준수하지 않는 전기 자전거에 대한 강력한 규제 제안

On January 27, 2025, UK Labour MP Julie Minns introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill in Parliament to initiate debate on banning the sale and supply of non-compliant Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) and illegal conversion kits. The proposed Electric Bikes (Regulation) Bill 2024–2026 aims to address growing public safety concerns and protect pedestrians from the risks posed by illegally modified, high-speed electric bicycles.

As a lithium battery manufacturer serving the global electric bicycle industry, Yizhan Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. views this legislative move as a clear signal that the micromobility sector is entering a new phase, one where compliance, system safety, and accountability are becoming as important as performance and range.

Illegal Modifications Are Becoming a Systemic Safety Risk

According to publicly reported cases cited during the parliamentary discussion, some modified e-bikes seized by UK police have reached speeds of up to 56 mph, with extreme cases reportedly approaching 70 mph. These vehicles far exceed the legal EAPC speed limit of 15.5 mph and are typically controlled by throttles, effectively blurring the line between bicycles and light electric motorcycles.

From a battery system perspective, Yizhan Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. emphasizes that speed is only the visible symptom. The deeper risk lies in the mismatch between high-power conversion kits and battery systems that were never designed for such loads.

Common issues include:

Excessive discharge rates leading to rapid heat buildup

Simplified or unprotected BMS designs unable to manage high current demand

Increased risk of thermal runaway due to non-standard charging and discharging behavior

These risks often remain unnoticed until a serious incident occurs.

Compliance-Driven Battery Design Is the First Line of Safety

Yizhan Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. has consistently focused on providing battery systems specifically engineered for compliant EAPC applications, aligning electrical performance with regulatory limits and real-world use conditions.

Key principles include:

Cell selection matched to legal power and speed thresholds

Mature BMS architecture with multi-layer protection strategies

Full aging, consistency, and reliability testing before delivery

Battery designs supporting CE and UKCA market requirements

In Yizhan Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.’s view, a sustainable e-bike industry cannot be built on regulatory loopholes or unsafe retrofits, but on clearly defined standards and responsibly engineered systems.

Regulatory Action Supports Responsible Businesses

The proposed UK legislation would grant regulators and law enforcement stronger authority to seize and destroy non-compliant e-bikes and conversion kits at the point of sale. This approach is expected to reduce the circulation of illegal products, particularly those entering the market through poorly regulated online platforms and overseas bulk shipments.

Such measures may also help restore confidence among landlords, employers, and property managers who have restricted or banned e-mobility products due to safety and liability concerns. For compliant manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, this represents an important step toward a fairer and more transparent market environment.

Looking Ahead: Safety Requires Clear Boundaries

Electric bicycles play a valuable role in improving urban mobility, reducing emissions, and supporting last-mile transportation. However, their long-term acceptance depends on clear regulatory boundaries and responsible product design.

The introduction of the Electric Bikes (Regulation) Bill 2024–2026 highlights an accelerating global trend toward stricter oversight of micromobility products. Yizhan Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. will continue to support this transition by delivering compliant, application-specific lithium battery solutions that prioritize safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability.

Speed alone does not define progress.
Safety, compliance, and trust do.