SINGAPORE: The sales and marketing manager of an electric bicycle shop will be charged on Jan 23 for allegedly selling a non-compliant battery and a modified e-bike fitted with such a battery, in the first such prosecution of its kind. E-bike seller is to be charged over non-compliant devices linked to fires in Hougang, Bukit Batok. Prince Bryan Tan, the sales and marketing manager of Drive Bikes Singapore, allegedly sold an incompatible power-assisted bicycle (PAB) battery on Jan 27, 2024, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on 22nd January 2025.
The sold battery ignited when the e-bike, it was installed on, was being ridden in Hougang, while the modified e-bike caught fire at a home in Bukit Batok.
The first offence is under the Road Traffic Act for causing a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) to be illegally modified, and the second is under the Active Mobility Act for selling a non-compliant PAB.
A PAB, known more commonly as an e-bike, looks like a conventional bicycle but is equipped with an electric motor to assist with pedaling.
The battery went up in flames when the user’s e-bike was being ridden in Hougang Avenue 5 three months later, on April 27, 2024. Thus, Retailer is to be charged in a first after e-bikes fitted with incompatible batteries catch fire.
This caused the e-bike to be illegally modified, rendering it non-compliant, LTA added. Tan is also accused of selling a non-compliant e-bike on Feb 21, 2024, as it was fitted with an incompatible battery. The e-bike battery linked to the first incident caught fire on Apr 27, 2024, while the customer was riding along Hougang Avenue 5.
In the second incident, LTA said the battery that came with the PAB had voided its EN15194 certification.
The EN15194 certification is a European safety standard for electrical PABs, according to OneMotoring’s website.
That e-bike subsequently caught fire at the customer’s home along Bukit Batok Street 32 on Apr 25, 2024, LTA added.
Drive Bikes Singapore has a showroom outlet in Aljunied, while its service and warranty centre is located at Syed Alwi Road.
An e-bike caught fire at a customer’s home along Bukit Batok Street 32 on Apr 25, 2024.
User Suffered Burns
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport Baey Yam Keng revealed that the customer in the first incident had suffered burns and required skin grafting. He also noted that the second incident happened at the user’s residence, causing “significant damage” to his home.
E-bikes fall under active mobility devices (AMDs) and regular enforcement is carried out against errant users and retailers, LTA said.
“More than 400 non-compliant AMDs were seized in the first half of 2024. During the same period, around 10 offences of selling non-compliant devices were found from operations against retailers,” it added.
LTA has in place regulatory requirements for motorised devices to ensure public path and fire safety. These include mandatory compliance with UL2272 standards for motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) and EN15194 standards for PABs.
“Only devices meeting these standards are allowed to be imported and used in Singapore.” The authority added that non-compliant e-bikes pose severe fire risks, which have led to six deaths since 2019.
“Members of the public are advised to only purchase from reputable sources, and check for defects and modifications when purchasing second-hand devices online.”
If found guilty of causing a PAB to be illegally modified, first-time offenders can be fined up to S$20,000 (US$14,800), jailed for up to two years, or both, while companies can be fined up to S$40,000. The same maximum penalty applies to the sale of non-compliant PABs upon conviction.
As per an advice, Electric bicycle batteries are the most expensive component of an electric bike, so it is important to choose the right one and to take care of it properly.
Before buying, purchaser need to know about electric bicycle battery packs, including: Types of electric bicycle batteries; Factors to consider when choosing an electric bicycle battery; How to extend the lifespan of electric bicycle battery; Types of electric bicycle batteries and more.
For Purchasers’ knowledge, there are two main types of electric bicycle batteries: lithium-ion and lead-acid. Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of electric bicycle battery because they are lightweight, have a high energy density, and a long lifespan. Lead-acid batteries are less expensive than lithium-ion batteries, but they are also heavier and have a shorter lifespan.
When choosing an electric bicycle battery, few factors to consider:
Voltage: Electric bicycle batteries are available in a variety of voltages, typically ranging from 36V to 72V. The higher the voltage, the more power the battery can provide.
Capacity: Electric bicycle battery capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh). The higher the capacity, the longer the battery will last on a single charge.
Weight: Electric bicycle batteries can be quite heavy, so it is important to choose a battery that is not too heavy for your bike.
Price: Electric bicycle batteries can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Set a budget before you start shopping, and stick to it.
How to extend the lifespan : There are a few things one can do to extend the lifespan of  electric bicycle battery:
Avoid extreme temperatures: Electric bicycle batteries do not adjust extreme temperatures. Avoid storing battery in direct sunlight or in cold temperatures.
Keep battery charged: It is best to keep electric bicycle battery charged between 40% and 80%. Avoid letting the battery completely drain.
Clean battery regularly: Use a damp cloth to clean electric bicycle battery regularly. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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