Urgent Deadline for European e-Bike Type Approval Adjustments

BRUSSELS, Belgium - In a recent meeting the European Twowheeler Retailers’ Association (ETRA) got the opportunity to explain in detail to the European Parliament why the Commission’s draft Regulation for the review of the type-approval for two- and three-wheel motor vehicles is not well adapted to electric cycles and light electric vehicles. This draft regulation was published last October 4th and is now in the European Parliament.

The draft text also concerns electric cycles and light electric vehicles, but does not offer a good solution for these vehicles. According to ETRA, the Commission’s proposal creates even more confusion than the current legislation. Therefore Member of Parliament Wim van de Camp invited ETRA to develop a comprehensive proposal aimed at improving the Commission's draft for electric cycles and light electric vehicles.

ETRA has now submitted a first version to its effective and associated members. The deadline for associate members of ETRA to send in comments and other input is 6 January. In a telephone conference on 6 January, ETRA will give its members supplementary clarification and reply to all their questions.

ETRA is expected to submit the proposal to Wim van de Camp on 10 January. The draft text is based on two main principles:

1. 1. Exclusion of all cycles with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h in order to allow CEN to amend EN 15194, the current EPAC standard. This would exempt these vehicles from the type-approval procedure and they would be classified as bicycles. As a result, they could be used without helmets, drivers’ licence, insurance…
2. 2. As for the pedal assisted cycles up to 45 km/h, cycles that can be propelled by the motor itself and all other light electric vehicles (except the one excluded by article 2 of the proposal), they would still be subject to type-approval but the procedure would be adapted to these vehicles, so that unnecessary requirements would not apply.