What Does UL Certified Mean?

A close-up of a Safe Shield Battery on a blue ebike. A UL Certified watermark is in the upper left corner.

You might have noticed that Rad Power Bikes has started talking about how our new lineup of ebikes and batteries are “UL Certified."

In short, this label represents that our bikes have gone through a series of rigorous safety tests performed by UL Solutions, a respected third-party organization.

If you’re curious about why UL Certification matters, what the testing process looks like for electric bikes, or what this means for you as a rider, we’ll break it down for you!

Who are UL Solutions?

UL Solutions is a global leader in applied safety sciences, and you’ve probably seen their certification mark on everything from washing machines to blow dryers.

If you take a look into their history, it turns out that they have over a century’s worth of experience under their belt. Back in the early days of electricity when standards were haphazard, the organization set up one of the first labs to test products for fire safety.

Fast forward to today, and they’re now breaking similar ground by setting new standards for the ebike industry.

What does UL Solutions do?

A close-up of a Safe Shield Battery on a blue ebike.

As an independent organization, UL Solutions is responsible for evaluating, testing, and certifying thousands of products — including electric bikes.

In Rad’s case, they’ve investigated our new lineup’s electrical systems, including the drive train, battery, and charger, to demonstrate their adherence to safety standards.

Spoiler alert: Rad passed!

Both the batteries and electrical systems for the Radster Road, Radster Trail, RadWagon 5, and RadExpand 5 Plus are certified to UL 2849 and 2271 standards, which apply to personal mobility devices and batteries respectively.

Getting a little bit deeper into the weeds, the UL 2849 testing process ensures electrical, fire, and shock safety for owners of ebikes with rechargeable lithium batteries.

As for UL 2271, that tests ebike batteries for safety against overcharging, short-circuiting, and temperature abnormalities and ensures that battery packs have adequate measures in place to prevent fire and explosions.

Why does UL certification matter?

A woman leaves a cafe with a cold drink and walks towards her white Radster Road ebike.

Aside from extra peace of mind, there’s a whole load of reasons to get a UL Certified electric bike.

  • The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has called on consumers to “only purchase ebikes and e-scooters that are listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and labeled accordingly.” 

 

 

  • In New York City, local officials signed a law requiring all electric bikes sold in the city to adhere to UL standards. 

 

  • Even if you don’t live in New York, other local communities may adopt similar measures, so going with a UL certified ride is a great way to protect your investment.

 

Are all ebikes UL Certified?

All Rad ebikes are UL Certified or tested by ACT compliant to UL 2849, but there are currently no national standards that require ebikes to be UL Certified. 

As a result, non-certified ebikes and accessories are still on the market, particularly among less reputable online retailers. 

While they're not just unsafe for consumers, they also threaten to derail the environmental benefits that come with the growing popularity of ebikes.

As the Verge explains it, "the risk of deadly fires stemming from cheaply made batteries has become an unfortunate side effect that risks derailing the momentum of an important climate change fighting tool."

 

 

KnowledgeRead

Featured Products

Side view of a green RadRover 6 Plus step-thru electric fat tire bike

Electric Fat Tire Bike

The ebike model that started it all: Hop on our flagship fat tire and you may never want to leave. Now in its sixth version, the RadRover 6 Step-Thru makes it easy to step on and power through all types of weather and terrain, with the technology and design to make it your best ebike ride yet.

For riders 5'2" - 6'2"

(4.5) 3724 Reviews
+3
$1,599
Shop Now
Side view of a silver RadRunner Plus electric cargo bike

Electric Utility Bike

Perfect for errands, perfect for fun, this electric utility bike comes fully-loaded with exclusive accessories to elevate your everyday experiences. The passenger package invites you to bring a friend for the ride, while the premium headlight gives you the confidence to hit the road any time.

For riders 4'11" - 6'2"

(4.6) 1845 Reviews
+1
$1,799
Shop Now
Save $10
Close up view of black, metal Front Rack for Rad ebikes.
Front Rack
$59 $69

(4.5) 1083 Reviews
+2
+1
$59 $69
Shop Now

Popular Posts

  1. A RadRover 6 Plus on a dirt mountain road from a distance.
  2. A close-up of the RadRover Step-Thru alongside a pair of plants.
  3. What's in an Electric Bike Category Name?