BATSO 01 Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) - Energy Systems Evaluation Guide for Secondary Lithium Batteries

Electric bikes and scooters are becoming more and more popular. Therefore, for light electric vehicles (LEVs for short) to be successful in the market, the batteries used must perform well and be safe. Whether rechargeable batteries or lithium-ion batteries are used, products must be inspected and approved according to BATSO (Battery Safety Organization) norms, which are new international norms for battery safety.

As a test seal, BATSO indicates that a battery has been tested and complies with the requirements of one or more of the BATSO test guidelines. BATSO's aim is to improve the safety of existing and new battery technologies. The test methods described in this guide provide a fast and economical way of battery testing. The BATSO seal of test helps all parties in the light electric vehicle space find and use safer batteries.

The BATSO 01 guide describes test methods and requirements for secondary lithium batteries used in light electric vehicles. It also includes shipping security. The performance and functional characteristics of the batteries are not covered.

Essentially, this guide offers two testing options:

• In the first test option, battery use safety tests and transport safety tests are performed during this type of test program in accordance with UN recommendations for the carriage of dangerous goods, manual of testing and criteria, Section 38.3.
• The second test option is the same as the first option, but transport safety tests are carried out independently of this type of test program in accordance with the UN recommendations for the carriage of dangerous goods, the test and criteria manual, Section 38.3.

Environmental aspects related to the manufacture and use of batteries will be considered in future versions of this guide.

BATSO 01 manual does not apply to these batteries:

• lithium batteries
• Batteries other than lithium types
• primary batteries
• fuel cells

Under the BATSO 01 guideline, test elements have been selected to simulate conditions likely to occur during transportation of batteries, insertion of batteries, or operation of a light electric vehicle. These cover normal operating, rough handling and possible misuse or negligent use.

For the purposes of this guide,

• Active protective device refers to battery-integrated devices that require active external controls to protect or mitigate malicious, out-of-range conditions to which the battery is exposed.
• Passive protective device refers to devices that do not require active external control for their operation and are either integrated or external to the cell.
• Battery refers to a single coated electrochemical unit (a positive and a negative electrode) that exhibits a voltage difference between its two terminals.
• A battery pack refers to one or more permanently electrically connected batteries, ready for use as a component in a vehicle.
• Cycle refers to a sequence of fully charging and fully discharging a rechargeable battery.

The use and associated risks of lightweight electric vehicles lie somewhere between battery-powered portable applications and car-sized electric vehicles. Most of the test items are not new, the content of this guide is based on various documents and has been edited accordingly. One or more tests may be required when the battery is installed in the vehicle.

Some of the tests described may be dangerous to those who are doing them. All appropriate precautions should be taken to protect personnel and the affected environment from potential chemical, fire or explosion hazards.

Protection devices and electronic circuits are evaluated as:

• Evaluation option 1: Active protection devices bypassed
• Evaluation option 2: All protection circuits are working

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies given to businesses by our organization, there are also testing services within the framework of the BATSO 01 guide.