Chapter 23Battery Standards for Electric Bicycles, Powered Mobility Devices, and Storage Batteries

Section § 26300

Explanation

This section defines key terms related to electric bicycles and powered mobility devices. It explains what counts as an accredited testing laboratory and the meaning of certification for evaluating these devices. It also outlines what a charging system, a complete electrical system, and a storage battery are, specifically for electric bicycles and powered mobility devices. Furthermore, it details what constitutes an electric bicycle, various powered mobility devices, and the role of the Office of the State Fire Marshal in this context.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(a) “Accredited testing laboratory” means an independent laboratory accredited by an accreditation body to ISO 17025 or ISO 17065, or a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(b) “Certification” means the attestation by an accredited testing laboratory that the equipment, device, or product has been evaluated and tested and found to conform to the standards specified in this chapter.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(c) “Charging system” means dedicated chargers used for charging an electric bicycle, a powered mobility device, or storage batteries that are either in place or removed from electric bicycles or powered mobility devices for charging.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(d) “Complete electrical system” means all electric components of an electric bicycle or powered mobility device, including, but not limited to, drive units, batteries, battery management systems, interconnected wiring, charging systems, and power inlets.
(e)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(e)
(1)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(e)(1) “Electric bicycle” means a bicycle with electric assistance as defined in Section 312.5 of the Vehicle Code.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(e)(2) Devices advertised as “e-bikes,” “e-bicycles,” “electric bikes,” or other variations that are substantially similar to an electric bicycle are subject to the same standards as an electric bicycle.
(f)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(f) “Nationally recognized testing laboratory” (NRTL) means an organization that meets the qualifications provided in Section 1910(b) of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations and is recognized as an NRTL by the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program.
(g)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(g) “Office” means the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(h)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)
(1)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)(1) “Powered mobility device” includes any of the following:
(A)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)(1)(A) A motorized scooter as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 407.5 of the Vehicle Code.
(B)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)(1)(B) A motorized bicycle or moped as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 406 of the Vehicle Code.
(C)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)(1)(C) An off-highway motorcycle as defined in Section 436 of the Vehicle Code.
(D)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)(1)(D) Any other personal mobility device powered by a lithium-ion storage battery.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(h)(2) “Powered mobility device” does not include electric bicycles, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices designed for use by persons with disabilities, a vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine, or a vehicle required to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(i)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(i) “Storage battery” means any of the following:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(i)(1) A rechargeable lithium-ion traction battery that supplies electrical power to the motor that propels an electric bicycle or powered mobility device, and includes a replacement original equipment traction battery for those devices.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(i)(2) A battery sold as part of a kit intended to convert a bicycle into an electric bicycle or powered mobility device.
(3)CA Health and Safety Code § 26300(i)(3) A lithium-ion battery advertised as suitable for use with an electric bicycle or powered mobility device.
accredited testing laboratory ISO 17025 ISO 17065 certification charging system electric bicycle powered mobility device complete electrical system storage batteries Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Office of the State Fire Marshal motorized scooter motorized bicycle lithium-ion battery traction battery
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 1. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025. Operative January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 26305.)

Section § 26301

Explanation

This law requires the State Fire Marshal to create specific safety regulations within the California Fire Code. These regulations will focus on the fire and electrical safety of electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and their storage batteries. It's all done following the procedures set by another set of rules, the Administrative Procedure Act.

The State Fire Marshal shall prepare and adopt regulations in the California Fire Code (Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) that promote the fire and electrical safety of electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and storage batteries.
State Fire Marshal California Fire Code regulations electric bicycles safety powered mobility devices storage batteries safety fire safety regulations electrical safety regulations regulation adoption Administrative Procedure Act compliance fire safety of e-bikes safety standards Title 24 regulations battery fire safety mobility device safety safety compliance procedures
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 1. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025. Operative January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 26305.)

Section § 26302

Explanation

This law makes it mandatory to ensure that electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and their batteries are safe before they are sold or leased. The batteries must be tested by a recognized testing lab to meet established safety standards. The law includes specific European and American standards as examples, like ANSI/CAN/UL and EN standards.

Charging systems used with these devices should also be certified as compatible. Additionally, a clear label or mark showing they’ve passed safety testing must be on the product, except when sold secondhand. This rule helps to ensure consumer safety by ensuring people only use devices that have been verified to be safe.

(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(a) A person shall not distribute, sell, lease, or offer for sale or lease an electric bicycle unless the storage battery for the electric bicycle has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a standard referenced in ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 or EN 15194, or other safety standard for electric bicycles as the office has established by rule.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(b) A person shall not distribute, sell, lease, or offer for sale or lease a powered mobility device unless the battery for the powered mobility device has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2272.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(c) A person shall not distribute, sell, lease, or offer for sale or lease a storage battery unless the storage battery meets either of the following:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(c)(1) The storage battery is designed for a powered mobility device and has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2271 or other safety standard for powered mobility devices as the office has established by rule.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(c)(2) The storage battery is designed for an electric bicycle and has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a battery standard referenced in ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard as the office has established by rule, or is part of a complete electrical system for an electric bicycle that has been tested by an accredited laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard as the office has established by rule.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(d) Charging systems advertised, distributed, sold, leased, or offered for sale or lease for use with a particular electric bicycle, powered mobility device, or storage battery shall be certified for use with that electric bicycle, powered mobility device, or storage battery.
(e)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(e)
(1)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(e)(1) A person shall not distribute, sell, lease, or offer for sale or lease an electric bicycle, powered mobility device, charging system, or storage battery unless the logo, wordmark, label, or name of an accredited testing laboratory and the applicable certification standard used to show compliance is permanently affixed directly on the electric bicycle or its electrical system, the powered mobility device, the charging system, or the battery of the electric bicycle or powered mobility device.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 26302(e)(2) A person shall not be required to display the logo, wordmark, label, or name of an accredited testing laboratory if the electric bicycle, powered mobility device, charging system, or storage battery is being sold or leased secondhand.
electric bicycle safety battery testing standards ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 EN 15194 powered mobility devices battery compliance charging system certification safety labeling requirements secondhand sales exceptions accredited testing lab consumer safety standards product certification UL standards compliance mobility device safety battery safety labels
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 1. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025. Operative January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 26305.)

Section § 26303

Explanation

This law prohibits the rental of electric bicycles and powered mobility devices unless their batteries, charging systems, and storage batteries meet specific safety standards verified by accredited labs. For electric bicycles, these include ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 and EN 15194 standards. For powered mobility devices, compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 is required. Additionally, the storage batteries must also meet designated safety standards such as ANSI/CAN/UL 2271.

Charging systems for both electric bikes and mobility devices need certification ensuring they work with the respective batteries. The law will take effect on January 1, 2028, and does not require displaying testing lab markings on rented devices.

(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(a) A person shall not rent or offer for rental an electric bicycle unless the battery for the electric bicycle has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a standard referenced in ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard for electric bicycles the office has established by rule.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(b) A person shall not rent or offer for rental an electric bicycle charging system unless the charging system has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a standard referenced in ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard for electric bicycle charging systems the office has established by rule, and, if it is being rented for use with a specific electric bicycle, it is certified for use with that electric bicycle’s battery.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(c) A person shall not rent or offer for rental a powered mobility device unless the powered mobility device has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2272.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(d) A person shall not rent or offer for rental a powered mobility device charging system unless the charging system has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 and, if it is being rented for use with a specific powered mobility device, it is certified for use with that powered mobility device’s battery.
(e)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(e) A person shall not rent or offer for rental a storage battery unless the storage battery meets either of the following:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(e)(1) The storage battery is designed for a powered mobility device and has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2271.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(e)(2) The storage battery is designed for an electric bicycle and has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a battery standard referenced in ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard as the office has established by rule, or is part of a complete electrical system for an electric bicycle that has been tested by an accredited laboratory for compliance with ANSI/CAN/UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard as the office has established by rule.
(f)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(f) A person shall not rent or offer for rental a storage battery charging system unless the charging system has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory for compliance with a charger standard referenced in UL 2272, UL 2849, EN 15194, or other safety standard for storage battery charging systems the office has established by rule and, if it is being rented for use with a specific storage battery, it is certified for use with that storage battery.
(g)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(g) A person shall not be required to display the logo, wordmark, label, or name of an accredited testing laboratory if the electric bicycle, powered mobility device, or storage battery is being rented.
(h)CA Health and Safety Code § 26303(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2028.
electric bicycle rental safety battery testing standards ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 EN 15194 powered mobility device standards ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 storage battery requirements charging system certification ANSI/CAN/UL 2271 accredited testing laboratory safety compliance device rental regulations mandatory testing operational date charger standards
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 1. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025. Operative January 1, 2028, by its own provisions.)

Section § 26304

Explanation

If you're a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer dealing with electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, charging systems, or storage batteries, you must be ready to provide a truthful and accurate copy of your product's test report from an accredited testing lab if someone asks for it.

A manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer of an electric bicycle, powered mobility device, charging system, or storage battery subject to testing under this chapter shall provide, upon request, a true and accurate copy of the test report for the product issued by the accredited testing laboratory.
electric bicycle testing powered mobility device product test report accredited testing laboratory importer obligations retailer compliance distributor duties storage battery testing charging system evaluation accuracy of test reports manufacturer requirements consumer product safety test report provision California product safety testing requirements
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 1. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025. Operative January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 26305.)

Section § 26305

Explanation

This law states that all parts of this chapter will begin to be enforced starting January 1, 2026, except for Section 26303, which will not follow this timetable.

This chapter, except Section 26303, shall become operative on January 1, 2026.
operative date January 1 2026 exception Section 26303 enforcement timeline implementation date legal provisions future enforcement operative chapter delayed enforcement legal applicability chapter activation scheduled implementation law enforcement timing statute activation date
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 791, Sec. 1. (SB 1271) Effective January 1, 2025.)