Hello (哈啰) named in CCTV 3·15 Gala over high‑speed rental e‑bikes; company pledges investigation and rectification

Allegations from the CCTV 3·15 Gala

State broadcaster CCTV's annual 3·15 consumer‑rights gala singled out Hello (哈啰) after it has been reported that staff at some Hello rental e‑bike shops were offering vehicles that could reach speeds of up to 75 km/h. CCTV reportedly said Hello's rental service has been deployed in more than 100 cities with over 5,000 outlets. How did shared e‑bikes — meant for short urban trips — end up exceeding national safety limits so dramatically?

Hello's response

Hello issued a public statement saying it has "initiated a special investigation" and that the CCTV report shows "lapses in review mechanisms or management," adding that it will "deeply reflect and resolutely rectify." The company reiterated that its e‑bike rental business operates on a platform model and that it does not directly run offline stores; it said vehicles at shop level are procured and operated by merchants, and Hello has not authorized any shops to use its brand for direct rental services. It also said it reserves the right to pursue legal action against merchants that violate rules, and pointed to contractual obligations requiring merchants to ensure vehicles meet national technical standards and to conduct self‑checks and remediation.

Why this matters

Public information indicates the forthcoming 2025 national "Electric Bicycle Safety Technical Specification" caps design top speed at 25 km/h, battery nominal voltage at 48V, and motor output at 400W — limits intended to keep e‑bikes in the non‑motor vehicle category. Consumer safety and regulatory compliance are high‑stakes issues in China, where CCTV's 3·15 Gala has historically prompted swift administrative and market responses. Will regulators now press platforms like Hello to tighten merchant oversight and on‑the‑ground enforcement? Expect swift follow‑up from local authorities and close media scrutiny.