The requirement for replaceable cells in e-bike batteries suddenly became a hot topic in 2023, and the European Commission recently added a new chapter to the discussion. The Batteries Regulation, which entered into force in August 2023, made it mandatory to offer the ability to replace individual battery cells for e-bikes in future. This requirement has been removed in the latest amendment from the European Commission. European Cycling Industries (ECI) welcomes this change, but not everyone is happy.

AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands - The new European Union guidelines on battery repairs will soon take effect, but whether the bicycle industry is sufficiently prepared remains to be seen. NOWOS founder Prins Doornekamp said he is surprised by the limited knowledge among both manufacturers and bicycle retailers.

AMERSFOORT, Netherlands - Dutch battery repair specialist Nowos has raised €6 million in new equity funding to accelerate its pan-European growth and push lithium-ion battery repair as a main component to developing a circular economy. The round's lead investor is Paris- and Singapore-based venture capital fund Shift4Good, with participation from Fair Capital Impact Fund and Goeie Grutten Impact Fund. An additional €3 million in debt financing is still being secured.

HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - Accell Group has announced a new collaboration to take a significant step in reducing CO2 emissions by giving a second life to discarded e-bike batteries. The partnership with Refurb Battery "aims to increase the circularity of the entire bike battery in the future."

BERLIN, Germany - To recycle all elements of lithium-ion batteries in key markets across Europe, leading micro-mobility provider Tier has entered an agreement with recycling company Remondis.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - With the EU legislation concerning batteries currently being discussed in Brussels, the industry organization CONEBI has voiced its concerns on e-bike battery repairs. "CONEBI is a strong supporter of only using original OEM certified batteries on e-bikes, we highly discourage end-users to make use of any repair services," the industry association says in a position paper.