What is BS EN 50604-1 – Secondary lithium batteries for light about?

BS EN 50604-1 is a part of the BS EN 50604 standard that discusses the safety requirements and test methods for secondary lithium batteries for light EV applications. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Li-ion batteries which are often used either carbon or graphite as the anode and for the cathode, use one of the following three: lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or lithium manganese oxide.

BS EN 50604-1 specifies test procedures and provides acceptable safety requirements for voltage class A and voltage class B removable lithium-ion battery (packs and) systems, to be used as traction batteries of or for electrically propelled road vehicles. BS EN 50604-1 is related to the testing of the safety performance of battery packs and systems for their intended use for a vehicle.

BS EN 50604-1 enables setting up a dedicated test plan for an individual battery pack/system subject to an agreement between customer and supplier. If required, the relevant test procedures and/or test conditions of lithium-ion battery packs and systems may be selected from the standard tests provided in BS EN 50604-1 to configure a dedicated test plan.

BS EN 50604-1 applies to all battery systems intended to be used in conjunction with products or systems described in the IEC/TS 61851-3 series.

Note: BS EN 50604-1 is not intended to be applied for the evaluation of the safety of battery packs/systems storage, vehicle production, repair and maintenance services.

Who is BS EN 50604-1 – Secondary lithium batteries for light for?

BS EN 50604-1 on secondary lithium batteries for light EV applications applies to:

Manufacturer of battery and cells 
Quality testing personnel 
Electrical engineer 
Suppliers of cells

Why should you use BS EN 50604-1 – Secondary lithium batteries for light?

Lithium-ion battery systems are efficient rechargeable energy storage systems for electrically propelled road vehicles. The requirements for lithium-ion battery systems to be used as a power source for the propulsion of electric road vehicles are significantly different to those batteries used for consumer electronics or stationary applications.

BS EN 50604-1 provides you with specific test procedures and related requirements to ensure an appropriate and acceptable level of safety of lithium-ion battery systems specifically developed for the propulsion of road vehicles. Test items are selected to simulate conditions that occur during handling or operations. BS EN 50604-1 covers the conditions of normal operation, rough handling and as well likely conditions of misuse or negligent handling.

BS EN 50604-1 also applies to the battery system after the integration into the vehicle resulting from national or regional regulations that are not dealt with in BS EN 50604-1. The same applies to hazards from electric shock.

With obedience and compliance to BS EN 50604-1, you can be ensured that the products consistently meet and exceed safety requirements and test methods.

You can find the latest version of this document here.

BS EN 50604-1:2016

Secondary lithium batteries for light EV (electric vehicle) applications - General safety requirements and test methods

Published:

31 Aug 2016

Withdrawn:

28 Feb 2022