Over the last decade or so, China has seen a shift from older AGM batteries, which are heavy and bulky, toward lighter and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries.
However, safety concerns regarding rare yet dangerous lithium-ion battery fires have put a pause on that proliferation. The government instituted new safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes last year, but there’s also been a major pushback toward AGM batteries for the domestic market. Even major technological leaders in the industry, such as Yadea and NIU, produce many AGM-based e-bikes for the domestic market while exporting primarily lithium-ion battery e-bikes abroad.
Traded-in e-bikes will be sent for dismantling and recycling, a move the MOC says is intended to help phase out older electric bikes with safety risks.
While sealed lead acid-based batteries do have higher safety margins, they have significantly lower energy density and lifespans. To help solve this issue, some companies, such as Yadea, are pushing for sodium-ion batteries to replace both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries as the next big e-bike battery chemistry.