1-1-2016 Today's Change in the Law.

[shemozzle999]

In today from the DfT:
Guidance on European Type Approval for certain Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC)

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/resources/guidance-on-european-type-approval-for-certain-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapc.11/

Has anyone else been sent this from the DfT? (Still marked as a ‘draft’ and a ‘short consultation’ in ‘due course’ will decide on penalties for not having type approval in the UK apparently).

I emailed them to ask about contradicting roll out dates for twist and go type approval (Jan 2016 or Jan 2017) and for details on the process manufacturers will need to go through to obtain type approval from 2016 – since we’re already here

This pdf is their reply just in (see link above to Resources). From a quick look through..

The doc says that from now until 2018 (a new date in the equation I think?) the only type approval requirement for an in-scope EAPC is lighting, in the form of an ‘automatic headlamp’ (ISO 6742-1:1987 comes on automatically when bike is in motion). Type approval for the same from Jan 2018 will encompass broader requirements.

As we know, speed pedelecs and those exceeding 250w are classified as mopeds & require type approval (L1e-A up to 1000kw/25kmh, L1e-B 4kw/45kmh).

However 5 (b) Q&A talks about over-speed/over-power non-EAPCs and seems to imply speed pedelecs with a full throttle can be type approved since it says ‘regardless of the precise mode of power assistance’.

Previously I wasn’t sure speed pedelecs with open throttle could be type approved to L1e-B, I thought only L1e-A was available for twist & gos and that’s up to 25kmh, so technically no category.

The doc doesn’t go into the detail I asked about type approval procedure, but seems to be quite confident that the VCA can type approve a ‘vehicle range’. I’ll leave that, and the rest, up for discussion

Showing for me as "Download not available" in Resources, whether I am logged in or not.

 

[HelenJ]

Morning - I've tried re-uploading - any better shemozzle?

 

[oldtom]

Showing for me as "Download not available" in Resources, whether I am logged in or not.

Ditto that.

Tom

 

[shemozzle999]

Sorry but it is still showing the same error - when I click on the download it goes to the error page " you do not have permission............"

Perhaps flecc could directly host the PDF on his website and then link to it here.

 

[HelenJ]

Permissions also changed on the original file so that even if you're not logged in you should be able to download it, odd because it looks OK to me, but take 2 above.

 

[anotherkiwi]

So from the above it looks like s-pedelec = L1e-B in the UK as well. Which I assume means if you are caught riding one without plate and tax and helmet on the open road very bad things will happen to you...

On the brighter side you should be able to register your shiny new s-pedelec as a moped as long as the seller provides you with the CoC.

 

[flecc]

View attachment 13089 View attachment 13090 View attachment 13091
Permissions also changed on the original file so that even if you're not logged in you should be able to download it, odd because it looks OK to me, but take 2 above.

Still permission needed Helen. Per Shemozzle's suggestion above, if you send me the file I'd be happy to host it permanently.
.

 

[HelenJ]

Still trying to crack the download issue, but it is above as a screenshot too since it's only 3 pages long
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/1-1-2016-todays-change-in-the-law.23007/page-6#post-290017
(you can click on each image to make it larger)

 

[trex]

so we can keep the throttle until 1/1/2018.
What will happen if we vote to get out of the EU before that?

 

[Lancslass]

so we can keep the throttle until 1/1/2018.
What will happen if we vote to get out of the EU before that?

We'll be able to decide for ourselves what to do - won't that be nice?!

 

[flecc]

Perhaps flecc could directly host the PDF on his website and then link to it here.

Now hosted on my website on this link:

Information Sheet Type Approval for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles - Nov 15 copy.pdf
.

 

[rsscott]

Does this work for everyone now ?

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/resources/guidance-on-european-type-approval-for-certain-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapc.11/download?version=11

 

[JohnCade]

We'll be able to decide for ourselves what to do - won't that be nice?!

I was under the impression that we already could. We can have throttles if our government approves them. But they won’t.

 

[flecc]

Does this work for everyone now ?

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/resources/guidance-on-european-type-approval-for-certain-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapc.11/download?version=11

Yes, working perfecty now Russ. Meanwhile I've also got it online as you see above, so two way access.
.

 

[Ruadh495]

So 250W, 15.5mph with a throttle only requires an automatic lamp (odd, as we have resisted that on cars and motorcycles) and an inspection to be approved? In which category? It seems to say it's not Le1-A, which is for higher power.

Approval (type or SVA) is required for registration (states registration rather than use) and as 250W, 15.5mph twist and go are treated as pedal cycles registration is not required for use... Am I right? In that case type approval might be needed if you were selling it, but not to ride it if you built it. So conversions with throttles remain legal? Only if the user is the constructor (can't pass it to anyone else)?

 

[flecc]

So 250W, 15.5mph with a throttle only requires an automatic lamp (odd, as we have resisted that on cars and motorcycles) and an inspection to be approved? In which category? It seems to say it's not Le1-A, which is for higher power.

Only until January 2018, from then new ones will have to comply with L1e-A type approval rules.

Approval (type or SVA) is required for registration (states registration rather than use) and as 250W, 15.5mph twist and go are treated as pedal cycles registration is not required for use... Am I right? In that case type approval might be needed if you were selling it, but not to ride it if you built it. So conversions with throttles remain legal? Only if the user is the constructor (can't pass it to anyone else)?

No, if legal for an individual it can be legally sold second hand.

However, the DfT haven't clearly ruled on SVA so we have no idea of the status of self builds. At present there are no rules for SVA approval of self build throttle pedelecs, in answer to queries the DfT keep linking to motor cycle type approval, but there is no provision in there yet for EAPCs.
.

 

[trex]

that's the first time I've heard about Automatic Headlamp On for EAPCs.
does it mean all bikes will have to have Automatic Headlamp On from 1/1/2016?

 

[flecc]

that's the first time I've heard about Automatic Headlamp On for EAPCs.
does it mean all bikes will have to have Automatic Headlamp On from 1/1/2016?

No, only the twist and go ones, since it's a type approval requirement. Pedelecs are exempted from type approval so not subject to this measure. I believe German national law has long required automatic headlights on pedelecs and possibly all bicycles, certainly the first Kalhoff's here had them as standard.
.

 

[Ruadh495]

Still not sure I understand this: either the cycle is a motor vehicle and has to have a motor vehicle type approval, in which case Le1-A is the lowest available, or it's not a motor vehicle in which case no type approval is required. Where does this EPAC type approval come from? I know there are two European Standards, one referring to the electrical components and the other to the bicycle itself, but surely conformation to these is only required at point of sale, rather than use?

 

[Ruadh495]

Only until January 2018, from then new ones will have to comply with L1e-A type approval rules.



No, if legal for an individual it can be legally sold second hand.

However, the DfT haven't clearly ruled on SVA so we have no idea of the status of self builds. At present there are no rules for SVA approval of self build throttle pedelecs, in answer to queries the DfT keep linking to motor cycle type approval, but there is no provision in there yet for EAPCs.
.

There is precedent of a sort in the European Recreational Craft Directive. This permits the use of home built boats without testing, but prohibits their sale within five years of construction. So I see use only by the constructor as a possibility. The bike is legal to use as approval is only required for registration and registration is not required to use a pedal cycle (careful here, motorcycles are also classed as "bicycles"), but not legal to sell and I don't see why that shouldn't affect second-hand sales.