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UL 2272, UL 2849 and UL 2271 explained: what the safety marks mean

Three safety standards cover most electric rides and their batteries. Here is what each one tests, how to check a claim, and why it matters at home.

Published Oct 7, 20267 min read

The short answer

UL 2272 is the safety standard for the electrical systems of personal e-mobility devices, such as electric scooters and hoverboards: the battery, charger and drive system are tested together for fire and electrical hazards. UL 2849 does the same for e-bikes, and UL 2271 covers batteries for light electric vehicles. A product carries UL 2272 certification only when an independent lab such as UL Solutions, TUV Rheinland or Intertek has tested it and listed it, so look for the lab mark and the listing, not just the letters UL. In New York City, Local Law 39 of 2023 makes these standards a condition of sale.

  • UL 2272 covers electric scooters and hoverboards, UL 2849 covers e-bikes, and UL 2271 covers the battery pack.
  • They test electrical and fire safety. They do not rate brakes, frame strength or handling.
  • Check the lab mark, the standard number and the lab listing for your exact model.
  • New York City allows only rides and batteries with these certifications to be sold, leased or rented.

What UL 2272, UL 2849 and UL 2271 cover

All three are safety standards for the electrical side of a ride. They deal with the parts that store and move energy: the battery, the charger, the motor and controller, and the wiring between them.

  • UL 2272: electric scooters, hoverboards and similar rides. The standard for the electrical systems of personal e-mobility devices. The battery, charger and drive system are tested together as one system.
  • UL 2849: e-bikes. The same idea for electric bikes. The battery, charger, motor and controller are evaluated as one system.
  • UL 2271: batteries for light electric vehicles. It covers the battery pack on its own. It matters most when you buy a spare or replacement battery.

The tests put the system through conditions such as overcharging, short circuits, heat, vibration, drops and water exposure, and check that it fails safely instead of overheating or catching fire.

What they do not cover. These are electrical and fire safety standards. They do not rate the brakes, the frame strength, the top speed or how well a ride handles. A scooter with UL 2272 certification still needs good brakes, good tires and a careful rider.

Why battery safety matters

A lithium-ion battery packs a lot of energy into a small space. When a cell is damaged, badly made or charged the wrong way, it can overheat and set off the cells around it in a chain reaction called thermal runaway. A battery fire is hot, fast and hard to put out, and many start while a ride is charging indoors.

A tested system lowers that risk where it starts: the cells, the battery management system that balances and protects them, the charger, and the connectors and wiring. That is why the standards look at the battery and charger together, and why you should charge only with the charger supplied for your model.

  • Charge on a hard, dry surface, away from exits, with someone at home.
  • Stop using a battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking, hot to the touch or smells odd, and contact the maker.
  • Recycle old batteries at a battery drop-off. Never put them in household trash.

Our battery care guide covers charging and storage in more detail.

How to check a UL claim

Look for the lab mark and the listing, not just the letters UL. Testing is done by independent labs such as UL Solutions, TUV Rheinland and Intertek. A product that passes carries that lab’s mark, and the lab keeps a public record of what it tested.

  • Find the mark. Check the label on the frame or deck, the battery label and the box. A proper mark names the lab and the standard, and often shows a file or certificate number.
  • Check the standard number. UL 2272 for an electric scooter, UL 2849 for an e-bike, UL 2271 for a battery. A bare “UL” or “UL listed” with no number tells you little, and “meets UL standards” tells you less.
  • Search the lab listing. UL Solutions keeps its listings in Product iQ, and TUV Rheinland in Certipedia. Search by brand, model or file number, and check that your exact model is there.
  • Read the maker’s documents. The manual, a certificate PDF or the official product page often names the standard and the lab. Match the model number exactly: a listing for one model does not cover a sibling with a bigger battery.
  • Keep the system together. A listing covers the ride with its own battery and charger. A third-party charger or battery is not part of it.

A phrase like “tested to UL 2272” only counts when a named lab did the testing and the product appears in that lab’s listing. If a seller cannot tell you which lab, treat the claim with care.

New York City: Local Law 39 of 2023

Since September 16, 2023, New York City allows only rides and batteries with the right UL certification to be sold, leased or rented in the city. Under Local Law 39 of 2023:

  • E-bikes must carry UL 2849 certification.
  • Electric scooters must carry UL 2272 certification.
  • Batteries for these rides must carry UL 2271 certification.

Sellers who break the rule face civil penalties. The law is about what is sold, leased or rented in the city. For the riding rules, such as the 15 mph limit and where you may ride, read NYC e-bike laws and electric scooter rules for 2026. Our NYC street legal page lists the scooters and e-bikes that meet the city rules, UL marks included.

Rules change. Check nyc.gov for the current version before you buy or ride in the city.

Products in our catalog that list UL certification

Look for the Certification line in the specs on each product page. It appears when the maker has published the standard for that model. These in-stock electric scooters list UL 2272 certification, from light commuters to a 72V flagship:

In-stock electric scooters that list UL 2272 certification
ModelTop speed (mph)Range (miles)Motor power (W)
Segway F2 Electric Scooter1825350
Segway E2 Pro Electric Scooter18.624.9350
Segway F3 Electric Scooter2044450
Hiboy S2 Pro Electric Scooter1925600
Hiboy S2 Nova Electric Scooter1920420
INMOTION Air Electric Scooter1922–
NAVEE V25 Pro Electric Scooter2015.5600
NANROBOT D6+MAX Electric Scooter45753,000
NANROBOT LS7+ 72V Electric Scooter74.5816,000

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

These in-stock e-bikes and an electric dirt bike list UL 2849 certification:

In-stock e-bikes and an electric dirt bike that list UL 2849 certification
ModelTop speed (mph)Range (miles)Motor power (W)
Phantom P14 Foldable Electric Bike1520350
Gyroor C33 Folding Electric Bike18.628450
Hiboy EX6 Step-Thru Fat Tire Electric Bike2075500
NANROBOT KD2W14 Electric Dirt Bike34311,000

Maker figures, checked September 2026. Real range and speed depend on rider weight, terrain, temperature and riding mode.

The Gyroor C33 Folding Electric Bike lists UL 2849 for the bike and UL 2271 for the battery, per Gyroor. A few makers name the standard in other specs: E-TWOW lists UL 2272 in the safety specs of the E-TWOW GT Sport, and NAVEE lists UL 2849 for the NAVEE Wolf X electric bike.

Browse more in the electric scooter shop and the electric bike shop. Questions about a model? Contact us before you order. Once your ride arrives, find the mark on the battery label as part of electric scooter setup.

Certification and recalls

A safety mark is a strong start, not the end of the story. Makers sometimes recall a model or a batch of batteries after it reaches buyers, whatever marks it carries. Register your ride with the maker if they offer it, so they can reach you, and check our safety and recalls page for notices on the brands we carry.

Questions riders ask

Is UL 2272 required by law?

It depends on where you are. New York City requires UL 2272 certification for electric scooters sold, leased or rented in the city under Local Law 39 of 2023. Elsewhere, check your state and city rules, which change often.

What is the difference between UL 2272 and UL 2849?

UL 2272 covers the electrical systems of personal e-mobility devices such as electric scooters and hoverboards. UL 2849 covers the electrical systems of e-bikes. Both test the battery, charger and drive system together.

Does UL 2272 mean an electric scooter is safe to ride?

It means the electrical system passed fire and electrical safety tests. It does not rate brakes, frame strength or handling, so you still need good maintenance, protective gear and safe riding.

Is “UL listed” the same as UL 2272?

Not on its own. A listing is for a specific standard. Look for the standard number, the lab mark and the model in the lab’s online listing.

Does a replacement battery need UL 2271?

In New York City, batteries sold for e-bikes and electric scooters must carry UL 2271 certification. Anywhere, the safest choice is the maker’s own battery and charger for your model.

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