Safely carry out operations on, near or with light electric vehicles

URN: IMICY13
Business Sectors (Suites): Maintenance and Repair - Cycle
Developed by: IMI
Approved on: 30 Mar 2022

Overview

This standard is for people who work on, near or with light electric vehicles but do not work on the vehicle’s electric transmission system.  The standard covers safe working practices and essential knowledge of the hazards associated with light electric vehicles and the precautions to follow to avoid these.

For the purposes of this standard, a light electric vehicle vehicle is any small vehicle powered by an electric motor (e-system) with 1, 2, 3 or more wheels, for example electric bikes, electric scooters, quadrimobiles, etc. 

This standard does not deem someone competent to maintain, service or repair a light electric vehicle’s e-systems and their components



Performance criteria

You must be able to:

P1 Identify the light electric vehicle type and collect relevant information about the vehicle and any specific hazards
P2 wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and use vehicle protection equipment (VPE) appropriate to the operations you are carrying out 
P3 confirm with the relevant person in your workplace that the correct workplace procedure has been followed to make the vehicle safe prior to starting any work
P4 work in a way that:

P4.1 minimises contact with, or damage to, light electric vehicle e-system components
P4.2 avoids damage to your working environment and injury to yourself and others
P5 refer any problems with the vehicle to the relevant person in your workplace
P6 follow workplace procedures to report the operations you have carried out on, near or with the vehicle 
P7 safely charge the vehicle, as necessary.


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

*
Use of technical information
K1 how to identify a light electric vehicle and its type.
K2 how to find, interpret and use sources of information applicable to light electric vehicles as appropriate to your job role
K3 how to identify *e-system components in a light electric vehicle

Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures *
K4 the health and safety legislation, industry codes of practice or guidelines and workplace procedures relevant to working on, near or with light electric vehicles
K5 the classifications of light electric vehicles in the United Kingdom as appropriate to your job role
K6 the hazards associated with *e-system components and how to work safely in their proximity
K7 your workplace procedures for:

K7.1 confirming with the relevant person in your workplace that the vehicle has been made safe as appropriate to the work you are carrying out
K7.2 referring/reporting problems when working with light electric vehicles
K7.3 recording and reporting work carried out on light electric vehicles
K8 the implications of electrical conductivity through the human body 
K9 the implications of strong magnetic fields and the effects on medical devices 
K10 the precautions necessary when using plug-in charging equipment
K11 workplace procedures that must be followed in the event of electric shock and other emergencies, including fire and flood
K12 the hazards associated with electric vehicles when exposed to extreme temperatures, impact and other adverse conditions

Vehicle system operation
K13 the difference between pedal-assist and power-on demand systems
K14 the different types of batteries used on light electric vehicles and how to handle them
K15 the advantages and disadvantages of the batteries used on light electric vehicles

K16 the storage and disposal methods for each of the battery types used on light electric vehicles
K17 the different motor locations used on an light electric vehicles
K18 what is meant by the terms brushed and brushless motors
K19 the advantages and disadvantages of a brushed and brushless motor when used on a light electric vehicle
K20 the different voltages used on light electric vehicles
K21 how the light electric vehicle can be safely charged using an external source
K22 the hazards associated with charging the batteries on a light electric vehicle
K23 how to safely operate a light electric vehicle
K24 the charging systems associated with light electric vehicles and how to use them safely


Scope/range

1. Batteries are:

1.1 Sealed lead-acid (SLA)
1.2 Nickel-cadium (NiCad)
1.3 Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)
1.4 Lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion)
1.5 Lithium-iron phosphate (LifeP04)
1.6 Lithium Manganese Cobalt (LiMnCo)

2. Voltages are:

2.1 12V
2.2 24V
2.3 36V
2.4 48v

3. E-system components include:

3.1 battery 
3.2 controls
3.3 rider information
3.4 wiring loom
3.5 motor


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

This section contains examples and explanations of some of the terms used but does not form part of the standard.

*
Hazards associated with light electric vehicle transmission battery voltage
These exist not only during work on light electric vehicle e-systems. Vehicle and equipment manufacturers’ guidance should be followed at all times.

Light electric vehicle transmission battery voltage
Voltages less than 60v DC.

Operations on, near or with a light electric vehicle
Any activity which does not include working on the e-system and components.

Sources of information applicable to light electric vehicles *
Examples include hard copy manuals, data on computer and data obtained from on- board diagnostic displays.


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

30 Mar 2025

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

IMI

Original URN

CY13

Relevant Occupations

Cycle Technician, Advanced Cycle Technician

SOC Code

5223

Keywords

Voltage; hazard; e-system