E-Bike Type-Approval Updated At Last

BRUSSELS, Belgium (March 11) - The European Parliament has adopted the Common Position on the review of Directive 92/61/EEC without any amendments. This is the so-called Framework Directive relating to the European type-approval of mopeds and motorcycles. The 10-year old law needed updating, supplementing and correcting on several points in order to optimise the type-approval procedure.
The revised text includes, among other things, the exemption of electric pedal assisted cycles (EPACs). Council and Parliament have not yielded to heavy pressure from the bicycle business to exclude EPACs without technical specifications. Exemption only applies to, "Cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kilowatts, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling."
EPACs with a motor output exceeding 0.25 kW and/or assistance beyond 25 km/h are still subject to the type-approval. Once the new Framework Directive becomes effective, the member states will have to replace their national legislation on EPACs by this European provision. Now that Parliament and Council have reached a Common Position the final publication of the new law is at hand. (AR)