Specialized in NYC - UL Certification?

[mfgrep]

I am hearing from prospective buyers that they cannot purchase a Specialized ebike aside from the Globe models in NYC due to lack of UL Certification. They have to go to New Jersey to see/ride these bikes?

Is there truth to this?

 

[Ebikelife72]

I believe this is true. I’m very surprised Specialized hasn’t gotten certified.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I’m very surprised Specialized hasn’t gotten certified.

UL is only pertaining to the U.S. Specialized batteries are certified for the EU, the primary Specialized e-bike market (bet Europe is more concerned about the battery safety than the U.S. is). It is no wonder the Turbo Division is headquartered in Switzerland...

 

[AvalancheRun]

One would think that if much smaller companies are able to achieve certification that this should be a piece of cake for Specialized. Very strange.. this rule was inevitable.

 

[AvalancheRun]

Found this, but I don't think it means they are certified.

E533753 for Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. | UL Solutions

productiq.ulprospector.com

The Specialized website does not allow e-bikes to be purchased in NYC.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What about Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Gazelle? Are Bosch e-bike batteries certified?

 

[Ebikelife72]

What about Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Gazelle? Are Bosch e-bike batteries certified?

Yes, Bosch is certified.

 

[Delverc]

It’s surprising they haven’t gotten the certification yet, especially with smaller brands managing to meet the requirements. Sounds like buyers have to cross into New Jersey if they want to check out anything other than the Globe models.
This reminds me of dealing with official documents that need to be accepted internationally. I once had to use a Hague apostille service to certify some paperwork for use abroad, and it’s kind of the same thing—without the right stamp or certification, you’re stuck jumping through hoops.

 

[Allan47.7339]

It’s surprising they haven’t gotten the certification yet, especially with smaller brands managing to meet the requirements. Sounds like buyers have to cross into New Jersey if they want to check out anything other than the Globe models.

Little bit of a zombie thread. Most models have:

"Compliance Certification
As applicable, certified to UL 2849 (e-system) and/or UL 2271 (battery) by UL Solutions and/or SGS. For information on lithium-ion battery standards and regulations in New York City, visit: www.nyc.gov/fdny/batteries"

 

[J.R.]

Little bit of a zombie thread. Most models have:

"Compliance Certification
As applicable, certified to UL 2849 (e-system) and/or UL 2271 (battery) by UL Solutions and/or SGS. For information on lithium-ion battery standards and regulations in New York City, visit: www.nyc.gov/fdny/batteries"

I was under the impression all Specialized ebikes are UL certified since 2023. This same statement can be found on bikes since 2023.

 

[BlackHand]

I was under the impression all Specialized ebikes are UL certified since 2023. This same statement can be found on bikes since 2023.

View attachment 189002

There are still plenty of ebikes listed that don't have that statement.

Notice how your example is part number 91622-5004U. You can find the same bike -2023 L Tero X 4.0 in the same color- listed as a separate model with no U appended to its part number and the listing lacks the UL statement.

The shipping restriction popup was removed and the UL listings added at some point(s?) during 2024. I'm assuming they were able to back date UL listing for bikes that were built after certification started but before certification became official? I bet if you try to ship to home/store one of the non U models the site would stop you.

Confusingly, a 2022 Turbo Como is listed for sale as UL certified while the 2024 Creo 2 Expert is not. The Creo probably sold out so fast that there was no point.

 

[J.R.]

There are still plenty of ebikes listed that don't have that statement.

Notice how your example is part number 91622-5004U. You can find the same bike -2023 L Tero X 4.0 in the same color- listed as a separate model with no U appended to its part number and the listing lacks the UL statement.

The shipping restriction popup was removed and the UL listings added at some point(s?) during 2024. I'm assuming they were able to back date UL listing for bikes that were built after certification started but before certification became official? I bet if you try to ship to home/store one of the non U models the site would stop you.

Confusingly, a 2022 Turbo Como is listed for sale as UL certified while the 2024 Creo 2 Expert is not. The Creo probably sold out so fast that there was no point.

I don't remember where I read it, might have been BRAIN, but I believe they started with the UL Cert in 2023. First were battery packs, then the entire system. There are 2 separate certifications, one for battery packs and one for entire ebike systems. Battery packs do not appear to have been changed to obtain certification, just tested, so any certification approval for existing designs can be noted on batteries from previous model years. Entire systems certification for bike models started on completely new models. Same systems in previous model years would also carry the same cert. Most of their packs should hold the UL cert by now, unless it is a pack that will be discontinued. No point in spending the money on that. It is a time and money consuming process. Everything will eventually be certified. Specialized is moving in the right direction.

 

[Allan47.7339]

This is a tempest in a teacup discussion. The NYC law was signed on March 20, 2023. You don't just call up UL or SGS testing labs and say hey we'll be there tomorrow for testing. I would be certain they had a schedule in-work for quite some time since EU standards require similar testing. I don't think UL or EN certification is quite as strict as airplane parts certification, it still takes time to make a comprehensive test plan with along all of the associated data that needs review. A brand with only one or two bikes would have a much easier time than a brand with broad family of e-bikes. I haven't taken the time to try a look up what is actually listed. I do know my Creo SL 2 E5 came with stickers.