ETRA Proposes New European Regulations For e-Bikes

GENT, Belgium - Yesterday, ETRA has submitted to the European Commission a motivated proposal for changes in the regulations governing pedal assisted cycles, electric bikes and electric mopeds by today.
 
With a view to reaching an agreement on such a proposal, LEVA had called a meeting of industry concerned on Friday 25 September in Las Vegas, whilst ETRA called a meeting in Brussels yesterday. The industry in Las Vegas voted for an increase in power from 250 to 500 W and an increase in maximum unassisted speed from 25 to 32 km/h.

After a lengthy and detailed discussion, the industry at the Brussels meeting voted for the option to focus on an increase of power only. Since the current speed limit for low performance mopeds is 25 km/h, the Commission could be reluctant to allow a higher speed for electric bikes.
 
However, the industry in Brussels did not only focus on the desired specifications for pedal assisted bicycles to be excluded from the type-approval. The 18 participants, representing 14 companies, also worked on a consensus on the definition of two new categories to be introduced in the type-approval. 
 
For cycles with pedal assistance not excluded from the type-approval, ETRA proposes the following definition: “Cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with one or more auxiliary electric motors having a combined maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 1 kilowatts, of which the output is cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 45 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling.”
 
ETRA also propose a new category for open throttle electric cycles and for low-performance mopeds, defined as follows: “Cycles and mopeds with one or more electrics motor of combined power not exceeding 1 kW and a maximum design speed not exceeding 25 km/h.” 
 
The full proposal is here on the ETRA-website. ETRA needs as much support from the concerned industry as possible.

Companies which are in agreement with the proposal and which accept to support should complete the line below and send it to etra@pandora.be. 
 
Our company  (name of the company) .............................................
represented by  (name & position of the representative) ...........................
is in agreement with the ETRA proposal for the modification of the rules in Directive 2002/24/EC governing electric cycles and mopeds and therefore supports the proposal.
 
Companies that officially confirm their support by E-mail will be added to the list of supportive companies attached to the proposal for the European Commission.