The US federal authorities’s shopper watchdog has issued a recall for “about 24,000” batteries bought with low cost VIVI e-bikes at retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and AliExpress for costs between $365 and $950. At the very least 14 incidents of overheating batteries have been reported, with three reported fires. No accidents have been reported, however homeowners are urged to cease utilizing the e-bikes instantly as a result of the lithium-ion batteries pose a “threat of great harm or demise.”
The VIVI e-bikes and batteries in query — models listed here — had been doubtless not licensed to UL security requirements. That’s not acknowledged within the US Shopper Product Security Fee (CPSC) recall discover, however it’s a close to common fact for price range manufacturers promoting e-bikes at rock-bottom costs. Certification prices cash and is solely voluntary outdoors of New York Metropolis. VIVI additionally appears to have began appending a “UL” to the top of its UL licensed mannequin names.
House owners affected by the recall can contact VIVI to obtain a free substitute charger and battery, although it’s unclear if the brand new battery will probably be UL licensed. The recalled batteries had been bought with e-bikes between December 2020 and November 2023.
Certification prices cash and is solely voluntary
The recall offers one more blow to the popularity of electrical bikes within the US, the place a preponderance of e-bike incidents happen regardless of its minuscule share of the worldwide market. Within the EU, e-bikes are considered as secure, dependable, wholesome, and space-saving alternate options to cars and public transportation thanks largely to strict laws. The VIVI recall is unlikely to be the final whereas federal lawmakers within the US proceed to disregard e-bike security.
VIVI’s e-bikes are made in China, like 86.3 percent of the US bike market. Previous to May 2nd, 2025, Chinese language imports had been eligible for the de minimis exception, whereby items costing lower than $800 entered the nation obligation free. The impression of this on the worth of devices from Temu and clothes from Shein has been nicely documented, however that seemingly inconsequential exception additionally impacted e-bike security.
First, it allowed these large lithium-ion batteries hooked up to low cost e-bike motors to be imported with minimal authorities inspection, as Consumer Reports warned back in 2022. It additionally incentivized e-bike makers to chop corners with a view to beat that $800 cap. UL testing and certification has a one-time value of between $30,000 to $100,000 per mannequin, permitting corporations like VIVI to undercut manufacturers like Rad Power that willingly pay for the advertising and marketing that comes with a UL seal of approval.
There are two important security requirements that apply to e-bikes within the US: UL 2849, which applies to e-bikes, and UL 2271 for e-bike batteries. Each certifications are recommended by the CPSC however stay voluntary all over the place however New York Metropolis which made them necessary in 2023. As of September thirtieth, 2024, there have been three deaths and 84 injuries from e-bike fires in The Metropolis, down from 14 deaths and 114 accidents for a similar interval a 12 months earlier.
State-wide e-bike security legal guidelines just like the one coming into effect for California on January 1st may persuade extra e-bike makers to hunt UL certification. However solely a federal mandate can assure a uniform strategy and resolve the battery security situation as soon as and for all.
Within the meantime, we will count on extra e-bike battery-related accidents to individuals and property within the US. And since President Trump is overtly hostile to regulation and any type of transportation that doesn’t require exploding dinosaur juice, there’s little hope we’ll see a federal e-bike safety standard throughout his reign.
So, the most effective you are able to do for now could be search for that “UL Licensed” sticker. For those who’re shopping for a brand new e-bike within the US, you must demand it. And for those who already personal an inexpensive Chinese language import with out it, nicely… possibly park it outdoors.