How legal is a kit which can be set up to exceed 250W and 15.5mph.

[alrescycle]

I have set up a kit to be street legal in the UK with appropriate settings in the controller but is it legal?

When I started the display showed the motor getting nearly 500 watts. The control panel died after 10-20 minutes use but would reset by switching the battery off and on.

Fortunately this doesn't happen with UK legal restrictions: 250 watts max, 15.5 mph limit, disabled throttle and crank rotation before power assist starts.

 

[saneagle]

I have set up a kit to be street legal in the UK with appropriate settings in the controller but is it legal?

When I started the display showed the motor getting nearly 500 watts. The control panel died after 10-20 minutes use but would reset by switching the battery off and on.

Fortunately this doesn't happen with UK legal restrictions: 250 watts max, 15.5 mph limit, disabled throttle and crank rotation before power assist starts.

You can use as much power as you want with a 250w motor, but if you have a motor that's rated at more than 250w, it's illegal no matter how much power you restrict it to.

To see if you're legal, look at the motor and see what's written on it. If it says 250w, you're home and dry. Anything else above that, you're out, and it there's nothing written on it, you'd need to provide proof that it's rated at 250w or less.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

I have set up a kit to be street legal in the UK with appropriate settings in the controller but is it legal?

When I started the display showed the motor getting nearly 500 watts. The control panel died after 10-20 minutes use but would reset by switching the battery off and on.

Fortunately this doesn't happen with UK legal restrictions: 250 watts max, 15.5 mph limit, disabled throttle and crank rotation before power assist starts.

Yep, as @saneagle mentioned, the display showing the motor getting 500 watts (or more) is perfectly normal for a legal e-bike - it's the manufacturer's motor continuous rated power that counts.

Again most legal e-bikes have settings that limit the maximum speed to 25 km/h, as long as this is done in the settings and there is no rider "off road" switch to override this, that is legal too

 

[alrescycle]

Yep, as @saneagle mentioned, the display showing the motor getting 500 watts (or more) is perfectly normal for a legal e-bike - it's the manufacturer's motor continuous rated power that counts.

Again most legal e-bikes have settings that limit the maximum speed to 25 km/h, as long as this is done in the settings and there is no rider "off road" switch to override this, that is legal too

There are no markings on the hub motor except a quality control sticker.

I have asked the manufacturer what it is rated at.

 

[saneagle]

There are no markings on the hub motor except a quality control sticker.

I have asked the manufacturer what it is rated at.

What motor is it? Where did you get it from?

 

[Nealh]

Battery output rating or lcd wattage rating is not illegal above 250w , as has been said if the motor is rated at 250w max continuous then it is legal.
There are no rules saying one can't produce more then 250w just that the motor must be marked and rated at 250w .

Other wise 36v controllers would have a max 6.95 a rating and 48v would have a max 5.2a rating, none then would be able to power an EAPC up a steep hill .

 

[thelarkbox]

Afaik No diy e-bikes in the UK are 'legal' in the strictest sense simply as the regs make no room for a diy ebike, and only regulate off the shelf products.

However to prosecute someone a BIG Deal Landmarking case will need to be made and tested in the courts. - So far no one seems keen on making this case with the police afaik relying on more traditional rules regarding lack of insurance etc to remove 'dangerous' machines from the streets.

Until such a landmarking law case is made against a diy ebike builder to 'set the proverbial stage' .
All us diy-ers can do is build within the spirit of the regs n keep out heads down If your bike conforms with the regs they wont have cause to take it..

 

[saneagle]

Afaik No diy e-bikes in the UK are 'legal' in the strictest sense simply as the regs make no room for a diy ebike, and only regulate off the shelf products.

However to prosecute someone a BIG Deal Landmarking case will need to be made and tested in the courts. - So far no one seems keen on making this case with the police afaik relying on more traditional rules regarding lack of insurance etc to remove 'dangerous' machines from the streets.

Until such a landmarking law case is made against a diy ebike builder to 'set the proverbial stage' .
All us diy-ers can do is build within the spirit of the regs n keep out heads down If your bike conforms with the regs they wont have cause to take it..

I don't agree with that. The Government makes it absolutely clear what an EAPC is and they also make it clear that EAPCs are exempt from motor vehicle regulations. You guys always try to make things more complicated than they are:

An EAPC:

• must have pedals that can be used to propel it
• can have more than 2 wheels, for example a tricycle

It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it’s been approved.

Its electric motor:

• must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts
• must not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

What your EAPC must show
Markings on the bike must show both:

• the continuous rated power output
• the bike manufacturer

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike

Where you can ride an EAPC
If your bike is an EAPC then you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.

You cannot ride it on pavements.

When your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike does not meet the EAPC rules then it’s classed as a motorcycle or moped.

Your bike is not an EAPC if it:

• can be propelled at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph) by the motor
• has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts
• does not have pedals that can propel it

If your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike is not an EAPC it must be registered and taxed.

You need to:

• get a valid driving licence to ride one
• wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards
• insure your vehicle

If your bike is classed as a motorcycle or moped but has not been insured, you may get a fine or your bike may be seized by the police.
Where you can ride if your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike is not an EAPC then you:

• can only ride it on the road
• cannot ride it on cycle tracks or cycle lanes

Regarding OP's question, he's out on two counts - labelling and motor rated power:
Markings on the bike must show both:

• the continuous rated power output
• the bike manufacturer

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike

Its electric motor:

• must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts

 

[thelarkbox]

Hope your right @saneagle, but ive had enough legal exposure to remain wary.

My caution stems from the undefinable concept of a manufacturer of a converted eapc..
And without a manufacturer no labelling criteria can possibly be met. Hence the careful use of the 'Strictly' prefix above.

 

[saneagle]

Hope your right @saneagle, but ive had enough legal exposure to remain wary.

My caution stems from the undefinable concept of a manufacturer of a converted eapc..
And without a manufacturer no labelling criteria can possibly be met. Hence the careful use of the 'Strictly' prefix above.

Most motors come with the manufacturer's name, the rated power and the voltage marked on them by label, silk screen marking or engraving. That's all you need. The battery also has a label with the voltage on it.

Using logic, the only time the labelling comes into it is when there's suspicion that your motor is not 250w, like when it's the size of a dinner plate. They won't be interested if you have a motor the size of an AKM100.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Is there anything in the regulations\guidance that says the 'manufacturer' of the 'bike' must be a business of the type that's registered at Companies house or is someone who is VAT registered or registered as self employed etc ?

 

[piratepete]

must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts

When did the government website change to this? It felt like fairly recently we were discussing how the gov.uk page is full of errors regarding ebike law.

 

[sjpt]

When did the government website change to this? It felt like fairly recently we were discussing how the gov.uk page is full of errors regarding ebike law.

This page says 'Updated 10 December 2024'

EAPC standards and legal requirements

www.gov.uk

It includes
have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts

 

[saneagle]

When did the government website change to this? It felt like fairly recently we were discussing how the gov.uk page is full of errors regarding ebike law.

It was just after the guy responsible for it read that thread on our forum. Maybe enough people from that thread clicked the button that says, "report a problem with this page". I did it ages ago.

 

[guerney]

Is there anything in the regulations\guidance that says the 'manufacturer' of the 'bike' must be a business of the type that's registered at Companies house or is someone who is VAT registered or registered as self employed etc ?

I'd like to know this too, before I start The Guerney Bogus 10000W 250W Ebike Motor Company. Should I buy a bunch of stators magnets and copper wire for winding etc. and hire busy dwarves to make my shed factory look legit? Are elfs smaller than dwarves? Do elfs sleep less? How many would fit in my shed? 12ft(L)X6ft(W)X8ft(H). Of course, ORAC would run the company for deniability.

 

[alrescycle]

I don't agree with that. The Government makes it absolutely clear what an EAPC is and they also make it clear that EAPCs are exempt from motor vehicle regulations. You guys always try to make things more complicated than they are:

An EAPC:

• must have pedals that can be used to propel it
• can have more than 2 wheels, for example a tricycle

It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it’s been approved.

Its electric motor:

• must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts
• must not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

What your EAPC must show
Markings on the bike must show both:

• the continuous rated power output
• the bike manufacturer

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike

Where you can ride an EAPC
If your bike is an EAPC then you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.

You cannot ride it on pavements.

When your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike does not meet the EAPC rules then it’s classed as a motorcycle or moped.

Your bike is not an EAPC if it:

• can be propelled at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph) by the motor
• has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts
• does not have pedals that can propel it

If your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike is not an EAPC it must be registered and taxed.

You need to:

• get a valid driving licence to ride one
• wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards
• insure your vehicle

If your bike is classed as a motorcycle or moped but has not been insured, you may get a fine or your bike may be seized by the police.
Where you can ride if your bike is not an EAPC
If your electric bike is not an EAPC then you:

• can only ride it on the road
• cannot ride it on cycle tracks or cycle lanes

Regarding OP's question, he's out on two counts - labelling and motor rated power:
Markings on the bike must show both:

• the continuous rated power output
• the bike manufacturer

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike

Its electric motor:

• must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts

Thanks for that.

With regard to the bike in question:

- The bike manufacturers name is on the trike frame.
- The e-kit manufacturers name is on the battery pack along with a bar code which reveals it was made in 2014. It also states it is a 36V battery.
- The motor is unmarked. The manufacturer says it is a 250W continuous rated motor and I could permanently mark it myself. Not sure that would satisfy an inspection by those who have that authority.
- The maximum speed of the system is displayed by cycling through the three users displays. However it can be programmed to be more than 15.5 mph.
- The throttle has been disabled in the set up.
- Pedalling is require to enable power assist.
- It does have a walk assist feature which is permitted on an EPAC, I believe.

 

[alrescycle]

There are no markings on the hub motor except a quality control sticker.

I have asked the manufacturer what it is rated at.

The manufacturer assures me that it is a 250 watt motor.

 

[alrescycle]

What motor is it? Where did you get it from?

It came fitted to a second hand trike. The manufacturer assures me it is 250W motor. My original question is generic. It could be any manufacturers unmarked motor.

 

[soundwave]

my bosch bike is 250w @15mph under the speed limit the motor could be 2kw it just has to cut out at the speed limit.

with a dongle to remove the speed limit i can hit 39mph on the flat but it does not give me anymore amps from the controller.

 

[saneagle]

It came fitted to a second hand trike. The manufacturer assures me it is 250W motor. My original question is generic. It could be any manufacturers unmarked motor.

As long as you keep a copy of the listing or any communications with the seller or manufacturer that confirms 250w, you should be OK. Don't show them any settings in your LCD. Just let them do any test they want to see if the motor assists over 15.5. mph.

If your motor is a normal geared one, no problem, but if it's a direct drive dinner plate sized one, they probably know they're not 250w.