"3.15" Gala Exposé: Investigation into Electric Bicycle Chaos — Speed Limit Tampering! Who is causing the "Little E-Donkey" to race wildly?

Special Topic: Improving Consumption Quality — Focus on the 2026 “315 Gala”

Source: Times Weekly - Times Online

On March 15, CCTV’s “3.15” Gala exposed violations by several electric bicycle rental platforms, involving issues such as “illegal speed limit removal” and “illegal license plate installation” for electric bicycles.

On September 1, 2025, the mandatory national standard “Electric Bicycle Safety Technical Specifications” (hereinafter referred to as the “New National Standard”) revised by five departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology officially came into effect.

The New National Standard clearly stipulates: the maximum design speed should not exceed 25 km/h, the battery pack label value should not exceed 48 volts, and the motor’s output power should be less than or equal to 400 watts.

Screenshot from Times Weekly reporter at the 3.15 Gala

In addition, to address the widespread issue of speed tampering in electric bicycles, the new standard imposes strict anti-tampering requirements on batteries, controllers, and speed limiters, and adds Beidou positioning, communication, and dynamic safety monitoring functions. When the vehicle speed exceeds 25 km/h, the motor automatically stops providing power, preventing illegal speed modifications at the hardware level.

During investigations, CCTV reporters found that not only do local individual rental shops violate national standards with their electric bicycles, but many leading brands in the industry also engage in serious violations.

According to data from the China Bicycle Association, the social ownership of electric bicycles in China is approximately 380 million units.

Another set of data from the Road Traffic Safety Research Center of the Ministry of Public Security shows that traffic accidents caused by electric bicycles account for about 10% of urban road traffic accidents, mainly due to illegal speed limit removal and speeding.

Recently, Times Weekly reporters visited several offline stores selling electric bicycles in Xicheng District, Chaoyang District, and Pinggu District in Beijing.

All models displayed in the stores are labeled as compliant with the New National Standard. Most merchants clearly refused reporters’ requests to modify speeds, but some staff indicated they could assist with speed upgrades.

“Speed can be modified, but now inspections are stricter. After the ‘3.15’ event, probably around April or before May Day, it should be possible,” several salespeople from different brands in multiple stores in Beijing told Times Weekly.

A salesperson at a certain electric bicycle shop in Xicheng District said, “Speed can be changed, but you need to get a license plate first, then come back. Because once you modify the speed, you can’t get a license plate.”

Regarding whether there will be additional charges for subsequent speed modifications, the salesperson said, “No, it’s free.”

“Speeding isn’t about money”

After visiting multiple stores, Times Weekly learned from several salespeople that the technical difficulty of modifying speed is not high, and it doesn’t cost much.

Another salesperson from a different electric bicycle brand in Xicheng even said, “It’s not about money; it’s about the current timing—it’s not allowed right now.”

The “timing” they referred to is “3.15,” International Consumer Rights Day. “Many customers have asked about speed modifications, but it really can’t be done now. After April or May, probably it will be okay.”

This prediction aligns with staff at another electric bicycle store in Pinggu District.

The staff told Times Weekly that under the new standard, the maximum speed of electric bicycles is 25 km/h.

However, when asked if they could help increase the speed, the staff replied, “We need to wait a bit longer. Right now, definitely not, because of strict inspections during ‘3.15’.”

They further explained, “On one hand, all electric bicycles under the new standard are equipped with Beidou positioning; on the other hand, manufacturers haven’t provided decoding devices for speed adjustment to sales outlets yet.”

During the conversation, the staff emphasized that compliant vehicles are much safer. But they also said, “Modifying the speed of vehicles that meet the new standard is no longer as simple as ‘plugging or unplugging wires.’ So now, store staff don’t dare to do it easily.”

“You can buy a new bike and ride it first. After ‘3.15’ and around May Day, if there are changes, you can come anytime.”

Compared to the cautious approach of the two stores above, staff at another brand’s store in Pinggu District are much more “bold.”

“Yes, you can modify it (speed). After modification, it can reach about 40 km/h, no need to wait. But after speed modification, you can’t get a license plate at the vehicle management office; you’ll need to go somewhere else. But don’t worry, it can all be handled.”

When asked if changing the speed requires replacing parts, the salesperson said, “You don’t need to worry about that; it can definitely be done.”

“Old National Standard” products are still being sold

Out of 13 offline stores visited, only 2 explicitly stated that they could modify the speed of New National Standard models without waiting.

Another issue is the sale of “old national standard” stock bikes. Some stores, while unable to modify new standard models, can modify old standard bikes.

In one store, despite selling only new standard products, when asked if they could change the speed, the staff clearly said, “No, we can’t modify new standard models.”

They then showed a white electric bicycle outside the store, saying, “This bike can meet your needs.”

They added, “If you’re satisfied with the bike, we can also offer a lower price.”

When asked if the bike might be second-hand or an old standard model, the staff did not answer directly but kept emphasizing, “This is the same batch as the new standard bikes we sell.”

However, the Times Weekly reporter did not find the “recommended service life” marked on the product label or certificate, as required by the new standard.

Moreover, the chain and pedal interfaces on the bike were observed to have reserved slots. Several salespeople and some online customer service representatives confirmed that the chain and pedals are no longer mandatory in new standard models, which usually do not come with these parts.

Another store selling old standard bikes emphasized that new standard bikes definitely cannot be speed-modified, but also told the reporter, “We still have a few old standard bikes that can be sped up from 25 km/h to about 30-35 km/h.”

They then pointed to a new bike among a row of second-hand and personal electric bikes outside the store, saying, “This one can.”

Some “old standard” electric bikes (photo by Times Weekly)

When asked if the speed could be increased further from 30-35 km/h, the staff said, “You would need to replace the speed controller.”

“Not all electric bikes can be adjusted to 50 km/h or higher. It depends on the bike’s body, tires, etc.” They added that replacing the controller costs between 400 and 1500 yuan, or even more.

“Electric bikes capable of reaching 90 km/h or 100 km/h on the road have very expensive controllers.”

Maintaining safety standards

Fujian Zejin Law Firm Director Fu Jian told Times Weekly that after the implementation of the new standard, selling old standard bikes that do not meet the new standards after the deadline constitutes selling non-compliant products that do not guarantee personal and property safety.

If a vehicle causes an accident or damage due to non-compliance with the new standard, consumers have the right under the Consumer Rights Protection Law to request refunds, replacements, repairs, and compensation.

If a merchant illegally modifies the speed of an electric bike, they are directly responsible for the illegal act. If such modification causes a traffic accident, the merchant bears civil liability due to their illegal modification and the accident’s consequences.

Fu Jian further emphasized that if consumers request or tacitly approve speed modifications, they are aware of the risks and also bear fault, sharing responsibility accordingly.

In fact, most of the stores visited strictly follow the new standard, with stronger safety awareness.

In a store in Pinggu District, a poster explaining the differences between the new and old standards and their implementation dates was displayed. The salesperson told the reporter that all products sold in the store are now compliant with the new standard.

Differences between the new and old standards (photo by Times Weekly)

While explaining, the salesperson also provided a brief overview: “Under the new standard, the materials are all metal, which improves safety; chains and pedals are no longer mandatory to prevent rust and accidents, though the cost is higher.”

Indeed, the new standard enhances fire-resistant performance of non-metallic materials, and explicitly states that the total weight of plastic used in electric bicycles should not exceed 5.5% of the total vehicle weight.

It also relaxes some safety-related indicators that have little impact, such as increasing the maximum weight of electric bicycles using lead-acid batteries from 55 kg to 63 kg, and no longer mandating all models to have pedal riding devices.

According to the salesperson, the same model complying with the new standard generally costs 300-500 yuan more than the old standard version.

When asked if the store could help customers modify the speed, the salesperson said, “No, that’s not allowed, and it’s not necessary.”

“The purpose of the new standard is to make everyone safer. It’s just about getting out two minutes earlier in the morning or arriving home two minutes later at night, but with better safety.”