eVillo scheme recalls batteries because of defect

JCDecaux, which manages Brussels’ bike-sharing scheme Villo, has recalled all of the batteries used in its hybrid bicycle scheme. There is a manufacturing defect that could lead to a short circuit when charging.

The Villo scheme offers rental of electric batteries to customers that they can click onto a bike when checking it out of a station. An ordinary bike then becomes an electric one.

The batteries have been in use since 2019, but the manufacturer is recalling them because of three incidents regarding defects. A short circuit when charging led to minor electrical damage. None of the incidents happened in Belgium.

Customers who are renting one of the 4,500 batteries are asked to bring or send them to JCDecaux, at the company’s cost. They will be updated with new hardware and software and returned to the customers. Users are asked not to reload the battery until it is serviced.