The first stage of nation-leading product safety standards and an Australia-first information standard for e-micromobility vehicles are now in effect, cementing NSW as Australia's leading jurisdiction for the regulation of lithium-ion powered e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar products.
The Minns Labor Government has introduced two separate standards to reduce the risks posed by the products, which are increasingly being linked to fires if they are built with low quality components or are used or charged incorrectly.
According to the latest Fire and Rescue NSW data, e-micromobility vehicles caused 193 fires between 2022 and 2025, with the rate of fires caused by these devices continuing to rise each year.
E-micromobility Safety Standards: Stage One in effect from 1 February 2025
The prescribed safety standards ensure e-micromobility vehicles, their associated batteries and chargers are built with safe and compliant components, so consumers are better protected from fire risk.
Since 1 February this year, all retailers and manufacturers can only sell e-micromobility devices in NSW with components that comply with the newly prescribed safety standards.
In 2025 NSW Fair Trading will be conducting education-focussed compliance activities for the first stage of safety standards, to ensure traders know their responsibilities under the new rules.
Compliance officers will start the first phase of education-focussed compliance activities from 24 February 2025.
Further standards for e-micromobility vehicles on mandatory testing and certification as well as mandatory labelling requirements come into effect in August 2025 and February 2026 respectively.
When these standards come into effect, businesses selling non-compliant e-micromobility vehicles will be subject to penalties of up to $825,000.
For more information on the e-micromobility product safety standards please visit the webpage on new standards for lithium-ion batteries in e-micromobility devices.
E-micromobility Information Standard: In effect from 19 February 2025
To complement the safety standards the Minns Labor Government has also introduced a new Australian-first information standard for e-micromobility vehicles.
Information Standards regulate what guidance and warnings are provided to consumers about goods and services, keeping them informed of products' risks and how they can be avoided.
The new information standard will cover product safety information, fire safety and emergency procedures, product end of life and storage, as well as electrical safety and advice on road rules*.
To provide businesses time to comply with the new information standard, NSW Fair Trading will focus on educating retailers about their responsibilities in the first six months of compliance activities.
From 1 August 2025, if the new e-micromobility information standard is not provided at point of sale, retailers could be subject to penalties of up to $5,500 for each breach.
For more information on the e-micromobility information standards please visit the webpage on lithium-ion battery safety.
National Approach to E-micromobility Standards
The formal introduction of both standards by the Minns Labor Government puts NSW at the forefront of regulating lithium-ion battery powered e-micromobility devices in Australia.
In recognition of the state's nation-leading efforts, in December 2024 the Consumer Affairs Minister Network charged NSW with leading a cross-jurisdictional working group to pursue a national approach on the safe use of lithium-ion battery e-micromobility vehicles.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Anoulack Chanthivong:
"E-micromobility products will keep growing in popularity, but as they become more widespread, we need to do more to make sure they are safe.
"That's why we've moved quickly to introduce this raft of regulatory changes, which have been put in place to protect lives and property from the devastating damage they can cause if the products are unsafe or used incorrectly.
"NSW now has the strongest regulatory framework in Australia when dealing with the risks posed by e-micromobility vehicles, setting a best-practice example for jurisdictions around the country.
"We will bring the lessons NSW has learnt during this process while exploring a national approach to regulations for these types of products with other jurisdictions around Australia."
Quotes attributable to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Natasha Mann:
"We know poorly designed and built lithium-ion batteries present a real and potentially life-threatening risk to consumers, contributing to more than one fire per week across NSW.
"This is unacceptable and the new product safety and information standards now in effect will help drive up the quality of these products and better protect consumers, their homes, and their property.
"NSW Fair Trading will enforce compliance through educating businesses about their requirements, but in the case of serious or multiple breaches there will be warnings and potentially penalties."
Quotes attributable to FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell:
"Fire and Rescue NSW welcomes the new e-micromobility information standards which will ensure people are protected from dangerous, poor-quality lithium-ion products.
"Three people have died within the last 12 months in NSW from fires involving lithium-ion battery-powered bikes.
"These measures will provide retailers, manufacturers and consumers with critical compliance guidelines to protect lives and property."
*Lithium-ion battery related fires for e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and other mobility devices
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total | |
| Fire Incidents | 23 | 67 | 93 | 10 | 193 |
*Areas addressed in the e-micromobility information standard:
- General information - provides information to identify the make and model of the device, as well as its compliance with the prescribed standards.
- Fire safety and emergency procedures - identifying signs of a fire and emergency procedures to be followed in case of an emergency.
- Electrical safety - important warnings for consumers about lithium-ion batteries, battery charging, and warnings against modification of the device.
- Product storage - information on safe storage and protection from environmental hazards.
- Product end of life - best practices for disposal of devices and lithium-ion batteries.
- Road rules - advises consumers to check applicable roads rules to determine whether or not the device can be legally used on a public road, footpath, or bicycle lanes.
