Here is my advice coming from product development of an IBD ebike brand:

#1

Check your insurance policy. More and more shop insurance companies are scrutinizing ebikes in shops. See what you insurance provider has to say. They may limit ebikes to certain certifications or may outright ban them. 

#2

When servicing or storing, look for ebikes with UL Certification. The main ones are going to be UL2271 and UL2849. UL2271 certification will ensure safety of the battery itself, while UL2849 tests the safety of the ebike system as a whole (batteries, chargers, controllers, and other electrical components). These certifications will come with holographic stickers and badging from the UL group on the batteries, bikes, or components. More and more insurance groups and regional regulations require UL certification for bikes stored in shops. While UL certification does not 100% ensure safe storage and use, at least they have gone through testing and validation. Follow best practices for lithium storing and charging (ex., don't leave batteries charging overnight or unsupervised, avoid temperature extremes, etc).

#3

For basic fire protection and off-gassing issues, a cease-fire waste receptacle will be a good first line defense for fire issues. The most basic will be fire proof cans with sand where smoking components or batteries can be dumped and extinguished. Also, make sure to invest in fire extinguishers capable of putting out lithium fires.

#4

Tooling and safety. Ebikes are heavy and complicated systems. Be careful when using sports stands or even standard bike stands with ebikes, as they can contribute to technician health and safety. Sports stands can create tipping issues, while standard bicycle repair stands can cause back and muscle strain. Does your shop have mechanical or electrical lift stands that can support the weight of ebikes? Also, does your shop have proper electrical repair tools and training:  soldering irons, wire strippers, wire crimp sets, motor controller diagnostic tools, etc.

#5

Training. Make sure your mechanics can quickly determine what you can and can't work on. Jesse makes a good point that there are still lots of early era, low cost ebikes that have hardwired rear hub motors that are a nightmare to replace tires on. More and more ebikes are coming with hydraulic brake systems; I feel like this was typically outside of the wheelhouse for smaller co-ops in the past, but training volunteers and techs on hydraulic systems could help. Be sure everyone knows what can be done or assisted with in house, and what needs to be referred to local partner shops. 

#6

What to do when it comes to recycling those ebikes? QBP and Call2Recycle are now offering national battery recycling programs. If you're in a position that you are getting more ebike donations, look in to these programs or other local e-waste programs for more information. 

I know this isn't a list of current policies that you can use, but I hope the advice can help you all shape your policies in the future!

Best regards,

Brandon