Which regions have environmental regulations for Electric Scooters?
Amid the global push for green mobility, electric scooters, thanks to their convenience, efficiency, and relative environmental friendliness, have become a popular choice for short-distance urban commuting. However, as their use grows, various regions are introducing environmental regulations to ensure that their convenience is minimized while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Below is a detailed introduction to some regions with clear environmental regulations for electric scooters.
Environmental initiatives in some US states
New York StateNew York City has been at the forefront of regulating electric scooters. To ensure public safety and environmental quality, the city mandates that light-duty vehicles and their batteries meet UL standards. This standard not only provides strict regulations for product safety but also reflects environmental considerations. Batteries that meet UL standards often follow stricter environmentally friendly production processes to reduce the use and release of hazardous substances. Furthermore, the federally approved bill, H.R. 1797, incorporates safety requirements for light-duty vehicles and their batteries into federal regulations, potentially covering environmental requirements. All businesses selling electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other battery-powered personal mobility devices are required to display lithium-ion battery safety information and guidelines. This initiative aims to raise consumer awareness of battery use and environmentally friendly disposal, thereby promoting environmental action at the consumer end.
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania, particularly Philadelphia, has embraced the introduction of electric scooters while also being mindful of their environmental impact. When considering the introduction of dockless electric scooters, the local government clearly outlined a series of environmental requirements. For example, operators were required to adopt sustainable business practices. Specifically, energy consumption for electric scooters must be sourced from renewable energy sources whenever possible, either through the purchase of energy credits or access to a renewable energy grid. This is particularly critical with waste disposal, requiring operators to commit to the sustainable disposal of end-of-lifE Scooters and ensuring that all components are recycled. Due to the rapid turnover of electric scooters, operators typically update their fleets annually, making the proper disposal of these end-of-life vehicles a key environmental concern. Philadelphia requires that scooter batteries and other electronic components be disposed of through sustainable e-waste processing, while the rest of the scooter body should be recycled or reused, preventing them from ending up in landfills.
Strong Standards in New South Wales, AustraliaThe New South Wales (NSW) Department of Fair Trading recently announced a major initiative. Starting in February 2025, new mandatory safety standards will be implemented for lithium-ion batteries used in electric mobility devices, including those used in e-scooters. Implementation of the standard will be phased in over three phases. In the first phase, effective February 1, 2025, all declared items must meet the specified standards, but no testing, certification, or marking is required. In the second phase, effective August 1, 2025, sellers must obtain testing and approval certificates before selling declared items. In the third phase, effective February 1, 2026, all declared items must be tested, certified, and marked in accordance with the relevant legislation. These measures aim to ensure that electric scooter batteries sold on the market are safe and environmentally friendly, reducing the risk of fires caused by battery problems at the source and promoting the battery manufacturing industry’s development towards a more environmentally friendly and safer direction. Furthermore, the New South Wales Fair Trading Office will introduce a product information standard for lithium-ion battery-powered electric micro-mobility vehicles. This standard will provide consumers with more information on the environmental performance of products, helping them make more informed purchasing decisions.
Relevant requirements in some European countries
EU CE certification and environmental standards
In Europe, electric scooters must obtain CE certification to enter the EU market. This certification demonstrates compliance with EU health, safety, and environmental standards. Specifically, the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) stipulates that lithium batteries used in electric scooters must meet relevant requirements to ensure battery safety and environmental performance, including testing and labeling. Furthermore, the RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) requires that materials used in electric scooters do not contain excessive levels of hazardous substances, such as lead and mercury. Once these substances enter the environment, they can cause long-term pollution to soil and water sources. By strictly enforcing these directives, the EU ensures that the environmental impact of electric scooters is minimized throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal.
Potential Requirements of Other European Countries
In addition to the EU’s unified certification standards, some European countries may also establish additional environmental requirements based on their own environmental conditions and development needs. For example, some countries may impose restrictions on noise pollution from electric scooters, requiring effective noise reduction measures in their design and manufacturing to minimize disruption to urban residents. There may also be corresponding policies regarding vehicle recycling and reuse, encouraging companies to establish comprehensive recycling systems, increase the recovery and reuse rates of electric scooter parts, and reduce resource waste.
Media Contact
Company Name: WuYi YueMa Leisure Articles Co., Ltd.
Email: Send Email
Phone: +8618869935053
Country: China
Website: https://www.yuemascooter.com/