Recently, some netizens posted a video of metal saddles being installed on vehicles that comply with the new standards, sparking heated discussions among netizens. Some netizens complained that electric vehicles are equipped with metal seats that are hot in summer and ice in winter, making them too hard to sit on.
So do the new standards require e-bikes to be equipped with metal saddles? China Fire Science says that is just an example, and the national standard is not mandatory.
Electric bicycles with metal saddles do not meet consumer needs, lack practicality, and are difficult to be accepted by the market.
At present, most of the new standard models that have passed 3C certification and are on the market use foam material seats., which can meet fire protection and flame retardant requirements and also ensure the user’s riding experience.
It is understood that the new standard "Electric Bicycle Safety Technical Specifications" (GB 17761-2024) implemented this time does not require electric bicycles to install metal saddles.
Clause 6.4.1 b) of the standard stipulates that "elastic cushion materials (such as foam materials filled in seats, etc.) should comply with the combustion characteristics requirements of elastic cushion materials in Table 2 of GB 38262-2019." Foam seats that meet the requirements for fire protection and flame retardancy can meet the standards.
The purpose of formulating this provision is to reduce the fire hazard of seats and reduce the hazard level when a fire occurs.
