Flying with Electric Bike Batteries? Tips and Advice
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Ebikes that you can fly with, do exist, and some you can even carry on-board, together with batteries. Check Brompton in the nycewheels link. They offer 320WH kit, split in 2 batteries 160WH each. The bike itself can also be carried onboard because it folds in 3 pieces, not in half like most others. I wouldn't count on always being able to sneak the actual bike on-board though - luggage screeners don't like seeing all those metal parts on-board. But there is no problem with their 2*160WH kit. Expensive, 3K+ together with kit.
blueworm
New Member
What if I took the 18650 batteries out of the battery itself. Could I potentially just bring the empty shell of the battery and bring that along, or even take out the batteries and bring those separately since it appears there's no limit on how many batteries less than 160 Wh can be brought along the flight. Or I can then buy brand new 18650 batteries at my destination?
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You can remove those small cells and wrap each one in insulating plastic, and this "might" work, but please don't think that luggage screeners are stupid. They are professionals, in most countries this job is paid fairly well. They know about bending the rules more than you do. I worked in this environment, though not as a screener. FAA table says "as used in small electronics". Your cells will likely have tabs and/or wires attached to them, not like those used in photo cameras etc. You are only allowed to have these spares in carry-on.
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Almost all batteries are welded with nickle strip conductors, and not able to come apart to individual cells. In fact, I would guess ALL are built that way. No other way to get a perfect connection every time. Furthermore, they are usually sealed up in a heat shrink brick.
Again, the answer unfortunately for most is: It 'aint gonna happen, unless you try to pull a fast one.
Yeah, you would have to cut the wires and then re-attach them again. And even then, they might not allow because batteries would still have tabs, making them look not like those "used in small electronics". When screeners are in doubt, they would lean towards safety, not towards your needs.
raymann112
Member
New guy here, just found this thread.
I had no idea about any of this and it looks really disappointing. I've flown with a bike, a long time ago and from everything y'all said I basically still can if I take the battery out but the TSA will stop you if you try to carry that on? Has anyone actually been stopped by the TSA?
I was thinking of traveling a bit out west with a bike later this fall but I guess it doesn't seem likely. (I'm on the east coast, driving alone would consume 4 days a vacation.)
I had no idea about any of this and it looks really disappointing. I've flown with a bike, a long time ago and from everything y'all said I basically still can if I take the battery out but the TSA will stop you if you try to carry that on? Has anyone actually been stopped by the TSA?
I was thinking of traveling a bit out west with a bike later this fall but I guess it doesn't seem likely. (I'm on the east coast, driving alone would consume 4 days a vacation.)
The last revision of TSA rule is clear: max 2 batteries, max 160 WH each. In checked luggage it can be either in the bike or separately, in carryon - only in the bike. See the table on the 2nd page: (Link Removed - No Longer Exists).
Obviously, TSA won't stop you if they won't find it. I didn't try, don't feel like, and would be more than happy to report anybody who will try this, because this is my life. Electrical short is a very common cause of fire.
raymann112
Member
Who brought up trying to sneak anything by the TSA, I just wanted to know what their policy is and why? I've never heard of a disconnected (outside of a device and not being charged) lithium-ion battery catching fire. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
The two gentleman flying and dying in a UPS 747 died because of batteries that were not connected to anything. They have high energy density and once started, will not stop.
raymann112
Member
I didn't even think about this but I'm already a ups My Choice member. I can just ship the battery to a ups store (ground obviously) and pick it up whenever I arrive.
Even though I live out in the country, I work in transportation and a package left by my door for a few days will get stolen so I get a lot of stuff shipped to the store.
Even though I live out in the country, I work in transportation and a package left by my door for a few days will get stolen so I get a lot of stuff shipped to the store.
RoadWrinkle
Active Member
You could ship the battery to your destination, as long as you disclose it and pay a little extra for Haz Mat shipping. This is how we get all of our ebikes to and from Hawaii. They put the item in a fire proof, heat shield container before it goes on the jet. Even if a cell is burning off of itself, the heat and fire are contained in the container.
I agree that breaking this kind of rule is not worth the potential outcomes.
I agree that breaking this kind of rule is not worth the potential outcomes.
Scooteretti
Active Member
When transporting lithium ION batteries on an aircraft the 2017 International rules for transporting them states that the total capacity must not exceed 100Wh. This all applies to all PAX (passenger aircraft) globally. In the US some carriers may allow up to 160Wh. Note that all battery packs / cells must be certified to a UN standard. Here is a snippet of the current regulation as per April 25, 2017:
(18) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, portable electronic devices (e.g., watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, laptop and notebook computers, camcorders, medical devices etc.) containing dry cells or dry batteries (including lithium cells or batteries) and spare dry cells or batteries for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Portable electronic devices powered by lithium batteries may be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage. Spare lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Each installed or spare lithium battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Sub-section 38.3 and each spare lithium battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (e.g., by placement in original retail packaging, by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch). In addition, each installed or spare lithium battery must not exceed the following:
(i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or
(ii) For a lithium ion battery, the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh. With the approval of the operator, portable electronic devices may contain lithium ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh and no more than two individually protected lithium ion batteries each exceeding 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh, may be carried per person as spare batteries in carry-on baggage.
(iii) For a non-spillable battery, the battery and equipment must conform to §173.159a(d). Each battery must not exceed a voltage greater than 12 volts and a watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh. No more than two individually protected spare batteries may be carried. Such equipment and spare batteries must be carried in checked or carry-on baggage.
(iv) Articles containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries the primary purpose of which is to provide power to another device must be carried as spare batteries in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.
Shipping lithium ION batteries such as the size and capacity found on most electric bicycles whether they are shipped on their own or contained within equipment need to identified as such. This falls under Class 9 Dangerous goods and regardless if shipped by Air or Ground require that they be packed and labeled in compliance by a trained and certified shipper. Shipping by ground is easier compared to air. Shipping by air requires very specific packing instructions, packing materials and that the shipper be certified.
(18) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, portable electronic devices (e.g., watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, laptop and notebook computers, camcorders, medical devices etc.) containing dry cells or dry batteries (including lithium cells or batteries) and spare dry cells or batteries for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Portable electronic devices powered by lithium batteries may be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage. Spare lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Each installed or spare lithium battery must be of a type proven to meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Sub-section 38.3 and each spare lithium battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (e.g., by placement in original retail packaging, by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch). In addition, each installed or spare lithium battery must not exceed the following:
(i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or
(ii) For a lithium ion battery, the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh. With the approval of the operator, portable electronic devices may contain lithium ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh and no more than two individually protected lithium ion batteries each exceeding 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh, may be carried per person as spare batteries in carry-on baggage.
(iii) For a non-spillable battery, the battery and equipment must conform to §173.159a(d). Each battery must not exceed a voltage greater than 12 volts and a watt-hour rating of not more than 100 Wh. No more than two individually protected spare batteries may be carried. Such equipment and spare batteries must be carried in checked or carry-on baggage.
(iv) Articles containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries the primary purpose of which is to provide power to another device must be carried as spare batteries in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.
Shipping lithium ION batteries such as the size and capacity found on most electric bicycles whether they are shipped on their own or contained within equipment need to identified as such. This falls under Class 9 Dangerous goods and regardless if shipped by Air or Ground require that they be packed and labeled in compliance by a trained and certified shipper. Shipping by ground is easier compared to air. Shipping by air requires very specific packing instructions, packing materials and that the shipper be certified.
blueworm
New Member
I called my airline and told them my situation. They said that bikes are considered walking aids and therefore as long as the battery can be detached from the bike and hand carried it is allowed.
Up to 300 Wh. I am returning home with my new Xiaomi qicycle this Wednesday. So wish me luck.
Up to 300 Wh. I am returning home with my new Xiaomi qicycle this Wednesday. So wish me luck.
Scooteretti
Active Member
Blueworm, unless you can get this in writing you are taking a BIG risk and breaking IATA and ICAO international traveler rules. Clearly the person you spoke to was not a DG specialist or certified. I suggest contacting the airline again and ask to speak to their Dangerous Goods specialist who will be able to give you proper advice.
All major passenger airlines are members of IATA and it clearly states that these sized batteries are prohibited (>100 wh and some airlines with permission >160wh) to be carried on any passenger aircraft. By breaking these rules you can serious be affecting the safety of other passengers on the aircraft which is not good.
I am fully certified by IATA in the shipping of lithium ION batteries by air and can assure you that the advice you received from the airlines representative was incorrect and can cause serious issues for you when traveling.
All major passenger airlines are members of IATA and it clearly states that these sized batteries are prohibited (>100 wh and some airlines with permission >160wh) to be carried on any passenger aircraft. By breaking these rules you can serious be affecting the safety of other passengers on the aircraft which is not good.
I am fully certified by IATA in the shipping of lithium ION batteries by air and can assure you that the advice you received from the airlines representative was incorrect and can cause serious issues for you when traveling.
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RoadWrinkle
Active Member
With all of the new chaos regarding flying with even a laptop, I would not want to risk anything that could get your battery confiscated, you arrested, and or something horrific happening while your in the air. Many travel destinations today have ebike rentals available, particularly large cities. No need risk anything.
There sure exists such thing as a dumb luck or newbie's luck. I do wish you (and everybody on this plane) all the luck they can get.
Other than luck... You don't seem to comprehend what is being said.
It is not the airline rules but aviation safety rules.
And it is not 300 but 320 WH total. Single battery can't exceed 160 WH.
Airlines CAN still reject the batteries that are within 2*160 WH rule, but they CAN'T allow anything that is against international or domestic aviation safety rules.
Bikes being mobility aids is totally irrelevant to the discussion since we are talking about batteries, not bikes.
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