EN 50604-2 specifies performance requirements and test methods for secondary lithium batteries used in light electric vehicles (LEV), published by CENELEC. It is Part 2 of the EN 50604 series — the companion standard to EN 50604-1 (safety requirements) — and together they form the complete European standard framework for lithium batteries in light EVs such as electric bicycles, e-scooters, e-mopeds, and other L-category electric vehicles.
Published by: CENELEC
Designation: EN 50604-2
Companion standard: EN 50604-1 (LEV battery safety)
Application: L-category electric vehicles (e-bikes, e-scooters, e-mopeds, light electric quadricycles)
Scope
EN 50604-2 applies to rechargeable lithium battery packs and systems used to power light electric vehicles (LEV) — road vehicles in the L-category under EU type approval regulation, including electric bicycles (pedelecs and speed pedelecs), electric scooters, electric mopeds, and light electric quadricycles. The standard defines the performance characteristics that LEV batteries must demonstrate and the test procedures to characterise them, enabling manufacturers and customers to compare and specify batteries on a consistent basis.
Key Requirements and Tests
EN 50604-2 specifies performance tests including rated capacity measurement at standard temperature, charge and discharge efficiency, capacity retention after storage, cycle life testing (the number of charge/discharge cycles after which the battery retains a specified percentage of initial capacity), and temperature performance at both high and low extremes. The standard also specifies tests for self-discharge rate and defines the charge and discharge current rates to be used in testing, ensuring reproducible results across different laboratories and manufacturers.
European Market Relevance
EN 50604-2 is the performance reference standard for LEV battery suppliers and manufacturers in the European market. When combined with EN 50604-1 (safety), it provides the complete technical specification framework for LEV batteries. The standard is relevant to type approval requirements for L-category electric vehicles in Europe and is referenced in procurement specifications for electric bicycle and scooter manufacturers. As the EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) introduces mandatory performance labelling and minimum durability requirements for light transport batteries, EN 50604-2 test data provides the measurement basis for demonstrating compliance with those requirements.
Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.