ISO 18246:2023

Overview

ISO 18246:2023 - Electrically propelled mopeds and motorcycles - Safety requirements for conductive connection to an external electric power supply - defines safety requirements for the conductive connection of electrically propelled mopeds and motorcycles (EVs) to external electric circuits. The standard applies to on‑board charging systems between the plug or vehicle inlet and the RESS (rechargeable energy storage system) and focuses on safe conductive charging behavior while connected to external power supplies or loads. It replaces ISO 18246:2015 and updates terms, electric‑shock protection, and test procedures.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 18246:2023 addresses the full safety chain for conductive charging and includes requirements and test guidance for:

• Connection architecture: requirements for connections between plug/vehicle couplers, on‑board chargers, and the RESS.
• AC and DC connections: specific clauses for AC supply network connection, AC contact operation, and DC connection safety (including contact/disconnection behavior and unintended voltage protection).
• Protection against electric shock: basic and fault protection, insulation, equipotential bonding, alternative protection measures, and requirements for barriers/enclosures.
• Thermal and overcurrent protection: overload and short‑circuit protection provisions for both AC and DC charging.
• DC arc protection and residual energy: risk mitigation for DC charging scenarios.
• Electrical insulation and EMC: insulation coordination, touch current limits, electromagnetic compatibility (susceptibility and emissions).
• Environmental and durability testing: ingress protection, dielectric withstand, isolation resistance, creepage/clearance, hazardous substance emissions, surface temperature, and unintentional charging behavior.
• Marking and user instructions: labeling, legibility, connection instructions and charging indications.

The standard explicitly does not provide comprehensive safety guidance for manufacturing, maintenance, or repair personnel and excludes bidirectional DC→AC energy transfer requirements.

Practical applications

ISO 18246:2023 is intended for practical use in:

• Design and validation of on‑board charging systems for mopeds and motorcycles
• Specification of vehicle inlets, plug/coupler interfaces, and protective circuitry
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing safety testing (dielectric, isolation, ingress, thermal)
• Regulatory compliance and type‑approval documentation for electrically propelled two‑wheelers
• OEM safety engineers, suppliers of charging components, and charging infrastructure integrators

Related standards

• ISO 13063 series (vehicle requirements when not connected)
• IEC 61851‑25 (DC EV supply equipment relying on electrical separation)
• IEC TS 61851‑3‑1 / IEC TS 61851‑3‑2 (DC EV supply equipment relying on double/reinforced insulation)
• IEC 60335‑2‑29 (other off‑board appliance considerations)

Keywords: ISO 18246:2023, electrically propelled mopeds and motorcycles, conductive connection, on‑board charging systems, EV charging safety, RESS, AC/DC charging safety, electric shock protection.