EN ISO 18246:2023 PDF

Overview - EN ISO 18246:2023 (Electrically propelled mopeds and motorcycles)

EN ISO 18246:2023 specifies safety requirements for the conductive (cabled) connection of electrically propelled mopeds and motorcycles to an external electric power supply. The standard covers on‑board charging systems between the plug or vehicle inlet and the RESS (Rechargeable Energy Storage System) and addresses both AC and DC conductive connections. It focuses on electrical safety, protection against electric shock and thermal incidents, and test procedures for ensuring safe charging operations. It does not provide comprehensive safety guidance for manufacturing, maintenance or repair personnel and does not include bidirectional DC→AC energy transfer (currently under consideration).

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard addresses technical requirements that designers, manufacturers and test laboratories use to ensure safe conductive charging of two‑wheel EVs:

• Connection and interface requirements

  • Vehicle inlet, plug/coupler behaviour, earth/grounding provisions
  • AC and DC connection specifics (connection/disconnection processes, unintended voltage protection)

• Protection against electric shock

  • Basic and fault protection measures, insulation coordination, touch current limits
  • Equipotential bonding and alternative protective measures

• Protection against thermal incidents

  • Overcurrent, overload and short‑circuit protection for AC/DC paths
  • Arc protection and residual energy after disconnection

• Environmental, operational and mechanical considerations

  • Ingress protection, permissible surface temperatures, emission of hazardous substances

• Testing and verification

  • Withstand voltage, insulation resistance, creepage/clearance, EMC susceptibility and emissions, and specific test conditions for connected sections

• Marking and instructions

  • Required vehicle/charger markings, user/operator information and legibility

Practical applications - vehicle charging safety and compliance

EN ISO 18246:2023 is used to:

• Design and validate on‑board chargers and vehicle inlets for electrically propelled mopeds and motorcycles.
• Support type approval, safety conformity assessment and regulatory compliance for two‑wheel EVs sold in CEN member countries.
• Develop test plans in accredited laboratories for AC/DC charging safety tests.
• Guide product specifications for suppliers of vehicle couplers, inlets and wiring harnesses.

Relevant SEO keywords: EN ISO 18246:2023, electrically propelled mopeds, electrically propelled motorcycles, conductive connection, EV charging safety, on‑board charging systems, RESS, AC connection, DC connection.

Who should use this standard

• Vehicle manufacturers and OEM electrical teams
• Charging system and inlet/plug designers
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• Standards engineers, compliance officers and regulatory authorities

Related standards

• ISO 13063 series - requirements when not connected to external circuits
• IEC 61851‑25 - DC EV supply equipment (protection by electrical separation)
• IEC TS 61851‑3‑1 / IEC TS 61851‑3‑2 - DC EV supply equipment (double/reinforced insulation)