Pedelecs

Definitions and legal aspects
Electric bicycle and/or LEV (Light Electric Vehicle of weight less than or equal to 400 kg) is a term, which covers two different concepts of vehicles with an auxiliary electric motor.

• On the one hand, there are cycles equipped with an auxiliary motor that cannot be exclusively propelled by that motor. Only when the cyclist pedals, does the motor assist. For these vehicles types the term “pedelec” is more commonly applied.
• On the other hand there are cycles equipped with an auxiliary electric motor that can be exclusively propelled by that motor. The cyclist is not necessarily required to pedal. These vehicles are generally called E-bikes.

European legislation stipulates that only pedelecs “which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0,25 kW, 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” are classified as bicycles. For these vehicle types, the European standard EN 15194 (EPAC – Electrically Power Assisted Cycles) has been implemented.

E-bikes and pedelecs of which the motor output exceeds 0.25 KW and/or the motor assists beyond 25 km/h are classified as mopeds. They have to comply with the type-approval legislation as laid down in Directive 2002/24/EC and all accompanying Directive.

Full details on all legislation governing pedelecs and E-bikes are in the Fact sheet on Electric bicycles .