Why are the electric bikes getting harder to sell?

China’s electric bicycle market is undergoing a major transformation as new national safety standards reshape production and consumer demand. Regulations focusing on fire safety, speed caps, and material composition have rendered traditional, low-cost models less competitive, leading to a significant year-on-year decline in sales for legacy brands. While entry-level demand falters, the market is bifurcating: younger consumers are gravitating toward premium, tech-integrated models that function as status symbols, while professional delivery riders are increasingly switching to electric motorcycles to maintain efficiency. Manufacturers are responding to these constraints by shifting focus toward R&D, specialized commercial vehicles, and higher-end features. Ultimately, the humble "electric donkey" is transitioning from a simple, unregulated utility vehicle into a more complex, standardized, and expensive product, forcing both companies and riders to adapt to a new era of urban mobility.