New e-bike battery regulations: Will they make batteries safer, cheaper and repairable?

[patoleary]

Interesting article here about the new EU "right to repair" and a company (Gouach Infinite Battery) discussing what they are proposing to offer to the general public.
Seems they already do this for ebike hire companies. Basically they make containers into which you can then populate with 16450s, and later swap out cells as they are not hard soldered/welded in.

New e-bike battery regulations: Will they make batteries safer, cheaper and repairable?

The European Union's Battery Regulation 2023/1542 is coming! Alright, that might not be the catchiest opening sentence for an article, but if I told you it could herald the right to repair your own e-bike battery (or to have it repaired), your ears might just prick up. From August 18, 2025, the...

ebiketips.road.cc

 

[Tony1951]

I've seen this business before and always thought it was a good idea if the implementation could be made properly, so that it actually worked. I did wonder if the connections between the cells would be adequate though. The article and the Goache website refer to large numbers of battery kits supplied, most I think to bike hire fleet operators. If that is true - it would indicate a decent level of quality and functionality of the product.

Looking at the manufacturer's website, the price is a lot less than the one mentioned in the article.

If I needed a new battery right now, I would be tempted to take a punt on it. It would be quite a bit more expensive than one of the ready made ones sent from China, but the ability to replace individual malfunctioning cells interests me. That said, a failed cell in a well used battery can't really be replaced by a new one, because of the general capacity loss in the other cells.

Interesting product though in my opinion.

Cell pack - 40x DMEGC 32E 3200 mAh

Very good price / quality ratio for this cell that have been used widely on E-bikes. Delivery options are quite expensive as they require to file for Dangerous Goods. Also beware that some additional fees may apply during the sipping if you are in a remote area. To check this use this...

gouach.com

Infinite Battery Complete Kit (without cells)

The Infinite Battery by Gouach is the world’s first fully repairable e-bike battery, designed for ultimate safety, sustainability, and ease of use. Unlike traditional batteries, it allows you to replace cells in minutes with just a screwdriver, eliminating the need for costly full replacements...

gouach.com

 

[saneagle]

I've seen this business before and always thought it was a good idea if the implementation could be made properly, so that it actually worked. I did wonder if the connections between the cells would be adequate though. The article and the Goache website refer to large numbers of battery kits supplied, most I think to bike hire fleet operators. If that is true - it would indicate a decent level of quality and functionality of the product.

Looking at the manufacturer's website, the price is a lot less than the one mentioned in the article.

If I needed a new battery right now, I would be tempted to take a punt on it. It would be quite a bit more expensive than one of the ready made ones sent from China, but the ability to replace individual malfunctioning cells interests me. That said, a failed cell in a well used battery can't really be replaced by a new one, because of the general capacity loss in the other cells.

Interesting product though in my opinion.

Cell pack - 40x DMEGC 32E 3200 mAh

Very good price / quality ratio for this cell that have been used widely on E-bikes. Delivery options are quite expensive as they require to file for Dangerous Goods. Also beware that some additional fees may apply during the sipping if you are in a remote area. To check this use this...

gouach.com

Infinite Battery Complete Kit (without cells)

The Infinite Battery by Gouach is the world’s first fully repairable e-bike battery, designed for ultimate safety, sustainability, and ease of use. Unlike traditional batteries, it allows you to replace cells in minutes with just a screwdriver, eliminating the need for costly full replacements...

gouach.com

Be aware that prices are for empty cases and cell-packs. When you have everything to make the battery, it's quite expensive.

I see they've reduced their prices at the moment, which brings them to a reasonable level, but the batteries are still too small for me. They'd be OK for someone less than 80kg, but I need around 800wh for my rides.

 

[Tony1951]

Be aware that prices are for empty cases and cell-packs. When you have everything to make the battery, it's quite expensive.

I see they've reduced their prices at the moment, which brings them to a reasonable level, but the batteries are still too small for me. They'd be OK for someone less than 80kg, but I need around 800wh for my rides.

Yes - you are right about both points. I was interested in the ability to rectify faults rather than either dump the whole thing, or undertake a delicate dismantling of welded nickle strip and fragile cell tops.

I don't need a battery now though, so the whole idea is just speculative and to see what other ideas people can bring to it.

Different riders have different needs - as you point out.

EDIT:

There is a very detailed page about the battery and BMS specifications here that can be downloaded: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YCLUC3kwE_Fr4pyO0t0In6PsglV1Cknu?usp=drive_link

 

[guerney]

Would 40X Molicell P45B cells provide enough continuous discharge current? Used in Surron batteries.

https://www.molicel.com/inr21700-p45b/

https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/threads/bench-test-results-molicel-p45b-50a-4500mah-21700-an-extraordinary-cell.116190/

...or P42A?

Test of Molicel INR21700-P42A 4200mAh (Gray)

From the Gouach website:

Voltage	36 V	48 V
Max continuous output power*	900 W	1200 W
Max continuous output curent*	25 A	25A

 

[saneagle]

Would 40X Molicell P45B cells provide enough continuous discharge current? Used in Surron batteries.

https://www.molicel.com/inr21700-p45b/

https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/threads/bench-test-results-molicel-p45b-50a-4500mah-21700-an-extraordinary-cell.116190/

...or P42A?

Test of Molicel INR21700-P42A 4200mAh (Gray)

From the Gouach website:

Voltage	36 V	48 V
Max continuous output power*	900 W	1200 W
Max continuous output curent*	25 A	25A

It's not the power that's the problem, it's the capacity, which is enough room for 39 18650s at 48v or 40 at 36v. Your Molicells are 21700s, so don't fit at all at the moment.

 

[guerney]

It's not the power that's the problem, it's the capacity, which is enough room for 39 18650s at 48v or 40 at 36v. Your Molicells are 21700s, so don't fit at all at the moment.

Doh! These then, but too low capacity for you I guess:

(@Nealh's preferred battery cell shop)
https://www.fogstar.co.uk/products/molicel-p28a-18650-battery

https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Molicel%20INR18650-P28A%202800mAh%20%28Gray%29%20UK.html

 

[saneagle]

Doh! These then, but too low capacity for you I guess:

https://www.fogstar.co.uk/products/molicel-p28a-18650-battery

https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Molicel%20INR18650-P28A%202800mAh%20%28Gray%29%20UK.html

I already said that I need around 800wh. Those 28As won't even give 400wh. When I first started riding an electric bike in 2010, I had 360wh. Today, I can enjoy 1000wh for £300, which does everything I want. 400wh is of no interest to me

 

[guerney]

I already said that I need around 800wh. Those 28As won't even give 400wh. When I first started riding an electric bike in 2010, I had 360wh. Today, I can enjoy 1000wh for £300, which does everything I want. 400wh is of no interest to me

Sorry about that - I have Central Serous Retinopathy in both eyes, which means occasionally I miss seeing the odd letter. There's a tiny blank bit in the middle of my vision, right eye mostly now. In this case I missed the "h" in 800Wh. I keep screen brightness low. Higher brightness works better for reading, but also worsens CSR. CSR is the new RSI for IT workers.

I did say:

but too low capacity for you I guess:

If Molicells and this case were cheaper, I'd give it a go myself. Easier to bring the voltage of the odd cell up to balance, not because I'd want to replace a small number of failing cells in a pack.

 

[guerney]

This Gouach Infinite Battery was discussed last year-ish. Peeps at the time speculated they might offer a version for 21700s, but this doesn't appear to have happened yet. Perhaps it will before they go bankrupt.