Electromobility as a Success Story – With Blind Spots
Whether e-bikes, e-scooters, sharing fleets, or electronic accessories such as navigation devices and trackers: today’s mobility industry is unimaginable without batteries. They enable companies to offer new services and open up new markets.
What is often underestimated, however, is that batteries are not just technical components — they also come with regulatory responsibility and operational implications, especially when scaling, entering new countries, or working with partners. Every battery placed on the market triggers legal obligations, which many companies only become aware of once the situation has already become critical.
Why Batteries Become a Compliance Issue
In discussions with mobility companies, we frequently hear statements such as:
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“We don’t manufacture batteries.”
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“That only applies to large manufacturers.”
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“Our batteries are permanently installed — that doesn’t count.”
The reality is different. Anyone who sells or places a product with a battery on the market can be responsible for the entire battery life cycle. This includes correct labeling, take-back obligations, proper treatment, and recycling in line with applicable legal requirements.
This affects, among others:
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Manufacturers of e-bikes and cargo bikes
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Providers of e-scooters, sharing fleets, and sharing services
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Manufacturers of navigation devices, onboard computers, and trackers
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Providers of accessories with integrated batteries
The Overlooked Question: What Happens at End of Life?
While product development, market entry, and scaling are usually well planned, one question often remains unanswered:
What happens to the batteries when they are defective or no longer usable?
Without clearly defined processes, legal risks arise, along with additional organizational effort and uncertainty for end customers and partners. Especially for growing fleets or international markets, this issue can quickly become complex — and it typically involves more than compliance alone: product teams, marketing, and sustainability/ESG are all impacted.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Address This
Regulatory requirements for batteries are increasing at both national and European levels. At the same time, public attention on sustainability, the circular economy, and producer responsibility continues to grow.
Companies that establish structured processes early on and comply with obligations such as labeling, registration, take-back, and proper disposal of batteries:
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avoid fines and sales bans,
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reduce the burden on internal teams through clear processes,
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strengthen brand credibility and market position through compliance and sustainability.
Unsure Whether Your Products Are Affected?
TechProtect supports mobility companies in identifying their obligations early and implementing robust, scalable solutions — from take-back setup and logistics to proper treatment and transparent reporting (and, if needed, together with 1cc for EPR/Product Compliance expertise).
">Get a non-binding assessment now to see whether action is required.