The 2025 New National Standard for Electric Vehicles Takes Effect, Enabling Dual Upgrades in Safety and Range
发表时间:2025-09-12
Reduced plastic usage, increased weight limits, and enhanced anti-tampering technology—the new national standard brings not just changes in standards, but an all-round upgrade in travel safety.
On September 1, 2025, the revised *Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles* (GB 17761-2024) will formally take effect, marking a new phase in the safety management of electric bicycles in China. According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the current social ownership of electric bicycles in China is approximately 380 million, and the implementation of the new regulations will affect the travel patterns of a vast number of users.
The new national standard no longer mandates that all models be equipped with pedal riding devices, resulting in a cleaner vehicle appearance while addressing issues such as low usage rates of pedals and their tendency to scratch clothing.
### 01 Breakthrough in Range
The new national standard increases the maximum weight limit for electric bicycles using lead-acid batteries from 55 kg to 63 kg. This additional 8 kg weight allowance is primarily allocated to the battery, enabling electric bicycles to be fitted with larger-capacity battery packs.
Previously, under the 55 kg weight limit, manufacturers could only equip small-capacity batteries, resulting in a typical range of just 30-50 km. After the implementation of the new regulations, vehicles can be equipped with larger-capacity batteries such as 48V32Ah, significantly extending the range to 70-80 km and effectively alleviating users' range anxiety.
A vehicle owner commented, "Now a full charge can meet my commuting needs for three whole days, and I no longer have to worry about running out of power halfway."
This change also indirectly reduces the frequency of charging, helping to extend battery life. When purchasing, consumers can pay attention to battery capacity and type, prioritizing models equipped with graphene lead-acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries for better range performance.
### 02 Comprehensive Upgrade in Safety Performance
The most prominent upgrade in the new national standard lies in safety, mainly reflected in three improvements: fire resistance, anti-tampering, and braking performance.
The restriction on the proportion of plastic usage is a key highlight of the new national standard. It clearly stipulates that the total mass of plastic used in electric bicycles should not exceed 5.5% of the vehicle's total mass. This requirement can reduce fire risks and slow down the spread of fire.
The upgrade of anti-tampering technology is another important improvement. The new national standard enhances anti-tampering requirements for battery packs, controllers, and speed limiters, promoting the "one vehicle, one battery, one charger, one code" management system. Through hardware locking, illegally modified vehicles cannot operate normally, technically significantly raising the threshold for illegal modifications.
Improved braking performance has also significantly enhanced riding safety. The new national standard reduces the maximum braking distance to approximately half of the original, effectively lowering the risk of collision accidents. Vehicles are also less likely to skid when braking in rainy weather, improving driving safety in harsh weather conditions.
### 03 Optimization of Power System
The new national standard has targeted optimizations for the power system of electric bicycles, addressing the long-standing user complaint of "insufficient climbing power."
The standard adds requirements for the torque of the motor during low-speed operation, ensuring that the vehicle can provide greater torque output in the 0-10km/h low-speed range. This means that the problem of insufficient power when starting on slopes or under load has been significantly improved. By optimizing magnetic circuit design and winding density, electric bicycles complying with the new national standard achieve stronger starting performance and climbing ability while maintaining a maximum speed of no more than 25km/h. Users no longer need to push their vehicles up steep slopes due to insufficient power.
The new national standard also introduces an intelligent motor control system, which can automatically adjust torque output according to road conditions to balance power and energy consumption. This allows electric bicycles to maintain a longer range while ensuring sufficient power.
### 04 Transition Period Arrangements and Purchase Guide
Regarding the transition period that concerns consumers, the new national standard sets clear arrangements. Starting from September 1, 2025, all newly produced electric bicycles must meet the requirements of the new standard. Vehicles produced in accordance with the old standard on or before August 31, 2025, can continue to be sold until November 30, 2025.
Consumers who have already purchased vehicles that do not meet the new standard will not be forced to淘汰 (phase them out); they can continue to use them or take advantage of the old-for-new policy to accelerate replacement.
When purchasing new national standard-compliant electric bicycles, consumers should pay attention to several key points:
- Check the CCC certification mark: Electric bicycles sold from the factory must obtain certification and have the CCC mark displayed on the vehicle.
- Focus on battery type and range: Choose an appropriate battery configuration based on daily travel distance, and pay attention to battery safety certification marks.
- Check the vehicle nameplate: The new national standard requires manufacturers to clearly mark the recommended service life, which consumers can find on the nameplate.
- Experience the riding feel: Test the vehicle's power response and braking performance to ensure they meet daily usage needs. For users pursuing long range, models equipped with graphene batteries or lithium-ion batteries are worth considering; for those who often need to carry loads or climb slopes, they should focus on the motor's torque parameters.
In the coming months, more electric bicycle models complying with the new national standard will appear on the market. With the end of the sales transition period on December 1, 2025, vehicles meeting the old national standard will completely exit the market, ushering in a safer and more efficient era of electric travel.