by ZHOU Mo, LI Biao

China's updated safety standards for electric mopeds came into effect on September 1, kicking off a three-month transition period. Analysts say the industry faces a double push: manufacturers rushing to clear old inventory and government subsidies encouraging trade-ins. That could bring steep discounts for models made under the old rules.

The new "2024 edition" of the national safety standard for electric mopeds replaces the 2018 version. It caps maximum design speed at 25km/h, mandates anti-tampering devices, requires fire-resistant materials, and limits the use of plastics to no more than 5.5 per cent of vehicle weight. The rules are aimed at curbing speeding and reducing fire risks, after years of accidents linked to non-compliant modifications and battery failures.

Manufacturers were allowed to keep producing under the old standard until August 31. They now have until November 30 to sell off existing stock. From December 1, only models built to the new standard can be sold. Dealers told Jiemian News that most showrooms still stock old-standard mopeds, as production lines for compliant models are not yet fully ramped up.

Industry insiders say the stricter rules add costs, partly from GPS and fireproofing requirements, though regulators argue these will be offset by reduced plastic use and simpler designs. Subsidies of 700–1,000 yuan in some cities are also helping consumers absorb higher prices.

Battery requirements are another key issue. The new rules keep lithium-powered mopeds capped at 55kg but relax the limit for lead-acid models to 63kg. Analysts say this could slow the shift to lighter, more expensive lithium batteries, though experts stress that lithium remains the global trend because of longer range and fast-charging capability. Safety concerns over lithium cells—linked to more than 80 per cent of e-moped fires last year—still weigh heavily.

"Consumers may see the biggest bargains in the coming months as brands clear stock," ZHANG Yi, chairman of iiMedia Research, told Jiemian News. "But after the transition, the replacement trend will taper off."

China is already the world's largest market for electric mopeds, with more than 380 million in operation, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. That amounts to roughly one for every four people in the country. The sheer size of the existing fleet means that even small policy shifts—such as the rollout of the new national standard—can trigger large waves of replacement demand and reshape the competitive landscape for manufacturers like Yadea, Aima and NIU Technologies.

NIU Technologies said the new standard would accelerate the industry's push toward safer, smarter and lighter designs. The company is focusing on better thermal management for batteries, standard GPS integration, and expanding connected features, while investing further in both lithium and lead-acid technologies.