Zhejiang community 'safety stewards' solve e-bike charging dilemmas

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

On Aug 22, State Grid Zhejiang's community power managers, in collaboration with fire-safety and housing-construction authorities, launched a targeted electric-bicycle charging-safety initiative across Ningbo. The operation combines door-to-door hazard identification with the rollout of standardized charging hubs, leveraging the "Yong Yi Chong" model to establish a secure, intelligent, and user-centric charging ecosystem that establishes a robust safety shield for e-bike users.

At Meilin Jiayuan residential compound in Meilin subdistrict, Ninghai county, community manager Ma Yuefeng and a firefighter inspected households for possible hazards. "Residents used to dangle extension cords from balconies—unsafe and unsightly," Ma explained. Following site-selection votes held by the residents' assembly, six standardized charging pavilions with membrane roofs were installed, each featuring smart power cut-off, 24-hour CCTV and emergency suppression devices.

Resident Ms Wang demonstrates the process: "Scan, pay, done in a minute. The price is like home electricity, and I no longer worry about fires." The compound's zero-complaint rollout is a microcosm of the 11,000 standardized hubs already operating city-wide.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Joint technical defense, data sharing, and grid-based coordination between power and fire services have unlocked community self-governance, creating a sustainable closed loop of professional and social forces," the local fire chief noted. "Site-selection disputes are history; residents now vote, and hubs land without a single grievance. After a year, Meilin Jiayuan's six stations are both convenient and safe, and satisfaction is high."

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The "Yong Yi Chong" model has drawn widespread interest from over 20 provinces. In 2025, the approach will underpin a full-chain rectification of e-bike safety hazards; Ningbo plans an additional 12,000 charging hubs and will export a four-in-one solution—regulations, standards, digital platform and commercial model—to the rest of the country. From safe charging to smart governance, the initiative is writing a new chapter in modernizing livelihood management.