Recently, the mandatory new national standard for electric bicycles has been fully implemented, which has reminded some users of the standard for electric wheelchairs. According to a report by People's Daily Online, some citizens in Guangdong have reported that the electric wheelchairs they bought for the elderly have been sitting at home for three years because they dare not carry the batteries to the elevator or charge them at home, fearing that they may suddenly catch fire like electric bicycles. Moreover, due to the high speed, they dare not use them. "The highest speed of electric wheelchairs now is too fast, and it is easy for the elderly to make mistakes when operating them themselves." Electric bicycles cannot be charged at home, which has become a common consensus in society, and outdoor charging facilities in various places are gradually improving. There is a lot of ambiguity about whether electric wheelchairs can be charged at home, which depends entirely on the user's awareness. Under this' laissez faire 'policy, many families that require wheelchairs are facing safety hazards. In the latest recommended national standard "Electric Wheelchairs" (GB/T 12996-2024), there are no mandatory provisions for core safety indicators such as battery protection level, charging and discharging current, and shell flame retardancy. It can be imagined that since there are no mandatory standards, enterprises will have greater flexibility in implementation, and product quality is also prone to uneven quality. Searching for news reveals that in recent years, fires caused by electric wheelchairs have occurred in many places. For example, in 2024, a disabled woman in Wuhan, Hubei Province purchased an electric wheelchair that suddenly caught fire at around 3am without charging. She was choked by smoke and quickly called the police, but firefighters rushed to extinguish the fire. However, the woman's body was burned in multiple places. Later, the court ruled that battery manufacturers, electric wheelchair manufacturers, and electric wheelchair merchants should all bear corresponding compensation responsibilities. This typical case fully reflects two issues: firstly, due to the lack of mandatory standards, there is a certain degree of confusion in the production of batteries and electric wheelchairs; Secondly, due to the limited mobility of most users of electric wheelchairs, once problems arise, the resulting loss of life and safety may be significant. Even if they detect signs of safety accidents, it is difficult for them to escape in a timely manner and they can only wait for external rescue. Therefore, the improvement of safety standards for electric wheelchairs should be put on the agenda as soon as possible. Considering the characteristics of the electric wheelchair user group, it is difficult to require electric wheelchairs to be placed outdoors, and it is not realistic for users to go outdoors for charging. The most desirable direction is to improve the safety of indoor charging. This requires companies to increase their investment in research and development; In terms of policy, government departments should also take action as soon as possible and release clear management signals to guide market forces to increase investment in this area. In the case of mature technology, regulate the market with mandatory standards. With the deepening of aging population and the increasing demand for quality of life, there will be more and more demand for electric wheelchairs in the future. The large base of elderly and disabled people determines that electric wheelchairs are not a "niche consumer product", but a livelihood necessity that concerns the happiness of millions of families. Only with clear and mandatory safety standards can a red line be drawn for enterprise production, which is the most fundamental defense line to ensure safety. Only by controlling the source of safety can the hidden concerns of household use be eliminated to the greatest extent possible. (New Society)