Bikes Electric China: Latest Updates and Analysis

China urges citizens to trade in ‘old lithium e-bikes’ for newer lead acid electric bikes

In what might seem like a headscratcher, China is now urging its citizens to trade in their lithium-ion battery-based electric bikes for newer models with sealed lead-acid batteries (SLAs).

Electric bicycles are an incredibly popular form of travel in urban areas in China. An estimated 350 million electric two-wheelers of various forms travel the roads and bike paths in China.

Most e-bikes in China look more like what we would call scooters or mopeds, and many families as well as young adults rely on these e-bikes for daily transportation. While they technically require pedals and a maximum speed of 25 km/h ([website] mph) to qualify as e-bikes in China, most clients remove the pedals and effectively operate them as scooters.

SLA batteries, usually in the form of Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) SLAs, have been commonly used in electric bicycles in China for decades. In fact, the technology for lead-acid batteries is over 100 years old, and early electric cars sold at the start of the 1900s were powered by lead-acid batteries.

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.

Now we’re seeing China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announcing new policies to further promote trade-ins of lithium-ion battery e-bikes for AGM models. The new MOC policy includes subsidies to help individuals buy eligible new models.

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.

Sodium-ion batteries have the safety advantages of lead-acid batteries, yet offer more effective energy density and lifespans that are beginning to approach that of lithium-ion batteries. The cost remains relatively high for the newer sodium-ion battery technology, but significant investments in the development of sodium-ion battery manufacturing are expected to help reduce the cost in the next few years.

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UK backtracks on plans to double the power of electric bikes

If it sounded too good to be true, that’s because it was. A proposal made last year to double the allowable power limit of electric bicycles in the UK was canceled after pushback on the plan.

Current laws in the UK are similar to those throughout most of Europe, limiting electric bicycles to 250 watts (1/3 hp) and 25 km/h ([website] mph) of top speed.

A proposal put forth by the Conservatives would have seen that power limit doubled to 500W in the UK, and potentially also allowed for the use of a hand throttle, .

After the Department for Transport began a public consultation to assess public opinion, it became clear that while the general public had mixed feelings, most bicycling organizations were largely in favor of keeping the existing regulations unchanged.

“While the difference between the overall number of respondents being in favour and those not in favour was relatively small, this was not the case with main stakeholder organisations, with the vast majority opposing the proposals,” the Department for Transport explained.

While European electric bicycle laws are relatively strict, limiting electric bicycle motors to less power than a healthy adult can generate with their own legs, North American e-bike laws are generally less restrictive.

In Canada, electric bicycles can support up to 500W of power and feature hand throttles that allow the e-bikes to be powered even without pedaling. In the US, the vast majority of states have adopted the three-class system, which allows all electric bicycles to support motors of up to 750W of power, or three times the European limit. Hand throttles are also allowed on some electric bikes, but the specifics can vary from state to state. The subject of speed, as well as hand throttles on e-bikes, has become a contentious subject in the US with increased regulatory activity.

In much of Europe, bicycles and e-bikes are seen as more integrated members of the larger public transportation system. In North America, cities are much more car-centric and often even hostile to cyclists.

While not all European cyclists enjoy the utopia of Amsterdam’s bicycle-friendly streets, most European cities are more likely to feature superior-developed cycling infrastructure that lets cyclists safely travel at slower speeds. Conversely, many American riders feel that higher speeds and motor power levels are essential for their safety when sharing the roads with cars, as higher performance allows riders to superior pace existing vehicle traffic.

Regulations don’t just dictate how powerful an e-bike can be, but rather they can also shape how e-bikes are used in daily life. In Europe, where most e-bikes are capped at 250W and 25 km/h (15 mph), more emphasis is placed on pedal-assisted cycling, encouraging active riding while offering a boost for longer trips.

Many cities in Europe have extensive bike lane networks that accommodate e-bikes alongside traditional bicycles, reinforcing the idea that e-bikes are simply a modernized version of cycling rather than a separate vehicle class.

In North America, where 750W e-bikes are common and Class 3 e-bikes can reach 28 mph (45 km/h), the riding experience can sometimes be closer to that of a moped. While many riders enjoy this broader freedom, it has caused friction in many cities who seek to rein in higher performance electric bikes.

At the same time, higher power limits and throttle-assist functions can make e-bikes more attractive for recreational riders, commuters, and even delivery workers, especially in cities where bike lanes are scarce. This has contributed to a wider diversity of e-bike styles in North America, from fat-tire adventure bikes to powerful cargo e-bikes capable of carrying heavier loads.

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How much will the new Trump tariffs on China increase electric bike prices?

With the flick of a Sharpie marker, new tariffs on goods imported from Canada, Mexico, and China were imposed this morning and will take effect next week on February 4, 2025. , the tariffs are intended “to protect Americans”, though nearly all economists agree that they will result in higher prices for consumer goods and increased inflation, devaluing the US dollar.

The Trump Administration’s new 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico are larger than the 10% additional tariffs on Chinese goods, but the latter will have the biggest impact on the electric bicycle industry in the US.

Electric bicycles have grown in popularity among Americans over the last decade, offering an accessible and affordable alternative to cars and public transportation. They’ve also proven popular among recreational riders and those seeking the fun of fitness on an e-bike, which can be more enjoyable and last longer than leg-powered rides alone.

But now the US electric bike industry is bracing for potential price increases following President Trump’s new executive order imposing a 10% tariff on US imports from China. With the majority of electric bicycles and their components manufactured in China, the tariff is expected to impact both retailers and consumers, adding further strain to an industry still facing the cascading challenges of supply chain frustrations followed by overstock issues.

Most electric bicycles sold in the US are produced in China.

China dominates global e-bike production, supplying a significant portion of the US market with both complete electric bicycles and key components like motors, batteries, and controllers.

Industry estimates suggest that over 90% of e-bikes sold in the US are either fully assembled in China or contain Chinese-made parts, making them particularly vulnerable to new trade restrictions.

With an additional 10% import tariff coming into effect soon, US e-bike brands will either need to absorb the extra cost or pass it on to consumers, potentially leading to price increases across many popular models.

Make no mistake – these tariffs are not paid by Chinese exporters of electric bikes, but rather by the American companies that import them. That directly increases the cost of goods for US e-bike retailers, which usually results in increased prices.

Tariffs placed on Chinese goods, including electric bikes, are not a new phenomenon. The US e-bike industry has been navigating these tariffs since Trump’s first presidency, with those tariffs largely continuining throughout the Biden Administration from 2021 to 2025 as well, despite periods of tariff exemptions coming and going.

In the past few years, we’ve seen cases of the additional cost being passed on to consumers, but on rare occasions, we’ve also seen e-bike companies opt to absorb the increased cost and avoid raising prices.

With so much experience navigating the choppy waters of China tariffs over the last few years, many US e-bike companies have taken steps to mitigate the impact of new rounds of tariffs like these. Several major brands have been working to diversify their supply chains, moving production to other countries such as Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and other areas with favorable economic conditions or incentives.

However, shifting away from China is neither quick nor easy, as the country remains a dominant producer with established manufacturing infrastructure. E-bike importers will likely also consider applying for tariff exemptions, as was the case under previous trade restrictions. However, this is a complex and uncertain process, with no guarantees of whether or how long such exemptions could be granted.

The US has seen rapid growth in e-bike adoption, with many cities and states launching incentive programs to encourage e-bike use as a sustainable transportation alternative. Price increases caused by tariffs could slow adoption, particularly among budget-conscious consumers who rely on e-bikes as an affordable commuting solution.

As the new tariffs take effect, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers will surely be watching closely to see how the industry responds. Some companies may adjust pricing strategies, shift production, or lobby for relief, while consumers may face difficult choices between absorbing higher costs or delaying purchases.

The long-term impact of these tariffs remains uncertain, but for now, one thing is clear: some e-bikes in the US are about to get more expensive.

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