On December 1, the mandatory new national standard for electric bicycles, namely the Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles (GB 17761 - 2024), was officially put into effect. This marks a complete prohibition on the sale of vehicles that adhere to the old national standard. Hailed as the "strictest in history," the new national standard brings multiple enhancements in areas such as fire resistance, braking performance, and tamper resistance.

In terms of fire resistance, the new standard imposes stringent limits on the proportion of plastic components. It stipulates that the total mass of plastics on the vehicle should not exceed 5.5% of the vehicle's overall mass. Moreover, key components are required to be made of highly flame - retardant materials. This is a crucial move as it significantly reduces the risk of fire hazards associated with electric bikes.

When it comes to braking performance, the new standard has significantly shortened the wet braking distance. This improvement is of great importance as it enhances driving safety, especially in rainy conditions where the road surface is slippery and the risk of accidents is higher.

Regarding tamper resistance, a "one vehicle, one battery, one charger, one code" mutual recognition and coordination mechanism has been introduced. This mechanism raises the bar for illegal modifications by ensuring hardware matching. It makes it much more difficult for individuals to tamper with the electric bikes, thus improving overall safety and compliance.

Additionally, the new standard offers some relief in terms of weight limits. It relaxes the weight limit for models equipped with lead - acid batteries to 63 kilograms. This extension of the weight limit allows for a longer driving range, which is a significant advantage for consumers who need to travel longer distances on their electric bikes. Furthermore, the new standard no longer mandates the installation of pedal - riding devices, giving manufacturers more flexibility in design.

For consumers who have already purchased vehicles that comply with the old national standard, there is no need to worry about their vehicles being forcibly phased out. However, unregistered electric bikes that adhere to the old national standard must complete the registration and licensing process by November 30, 2025. This grace period allows consumers to comply with the new regulations without facing immediate inconveniences.