Multiple EV Brands Accused of Hiding Annual Fees for Smart Features

Recently, leading e-bike brands including Tailing, Niu Technologies, Segway-Ninebot, and Yadea have come under scrutiny for failing to clearly inform consumers before purchase that certain smart features require annual subscription fees. Some owners received renewal notices after owning their vehicles for one year, warning that smart functions—such as remote unlocking and vehicle tracking—would be restricted if the annual fee wasn't paid. If payment remains outstanding for over 90 days, the IoT SIM card will be deactivated, requiring hardware replacement to restore location-tracking functionality. Currently, it is common industry practice to offer one year of complimentary smart services with vehicle purchase, followed by paid renewals thereafter. China’s fleet of electric two-wheelers has already surpassed 450 million units.