UL Rating of EUCs and batteries

[Student4Life]

I see modern EUCs are using name-branded battery cells.  But some jurisdictions (notably NYC) in the last year are requiring micro-mobility devices to have UL certifications, and CPSC has been using stronger words.  https://www.ul.com/industries/automotive-and-mobility/micromobility-device-testing-and-certification  An earlier thread in this forum suggested the production quantities for EUCs don't justify the costs of certification.  But what is the state of affairs today-- are some of the battery packs certified?  Devices certified?  What are the risks-- Would an employer allow an EUC to be stored at a desk?  Charged at a desk?  Ridden while on duty?

[RagingGrandpa]

I think EUC's meet most but not all of the requirements of UL2272, with the major gaps being:

• Environmental protection (many EUC battery packs are not sufficiently water-resistant). 
• Temperature monitoring (many EUC battery packs do not have temperature sensors). 

Some EUC's and other self-balancing devices are certified: for example, Ninebot Mini. 

 

Quote

Jason McNeil

The costs for obtaining a UL2272 certification on an Electric Unicycle are considerable, approximately $38,000 directly to UL, in addition to providing 16-20 Wheels in order to be destroyed in various ways. For Inmotion they made the call, that for the time being, these costs exceeded the additional sales likely of being able to sell to marketplaces like Amazon.com. 

Keep in mind that the battery cells & standard chargers are certified, which were the causes of most incendiary hoverboard incidents.

Technically speaking, when the wheel diameter is only 6.5-10" & so low to the ground with a load of say 300lbs, the dynamic forces in order to keep this person balanced on a relatively low-powered machine overtax the design capabilities of those poor 20 battery cells. Is it any wonder they fail catastrophically? Compare this to an Electric Unicycle where the motion, & therefore the power output, is continuous, & the cell count on a decent Wheel is at least double this.