The problem once again is, what defines a bicycle and separates it from a motor vehicle?
The objective was to provide assistance for cycling, not replace cycling, so from the outset here in Europe and elsewhere it was decided that was the need to pedal to make progress. Therefore pedalling was necessary to allow the power.
We've always had what you want here and throughout the EU, the low powered moped class L1e-A, which is bicycle based like EAPCs, even allowed up to 1000 watts rating but still restricted to 15.5 mph. But because they are no longer assisted bicycles they are subject to some motor vehicle law, depending which country. Here that means number plate, insurance, driving licence etc and that will not change in our nanny state.
And as Matthew points out above, much more recently we were allowed the dodge of type approving any of our EAPCs. This technically makes them motor vehicles but with a UK only concession that we dont have to comply with motor vehicle law when riding here. It has the inconvenience of either taking the EAPC to a testing station to get the check and exemption certificate or paying more to get one with the supplier doing that for you.
So forget getting the EAPC law changed, it cannot happen when there's already two existing ways to get what you want.
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