LEVA-EU, the European association for light electric vehicles (LEVs), is calling on the European Commission to break through the legal bottlenecks holding back the growth of the LEV sector. The call follows the publication of the TRL and fka study on harmonized rules for personal mobility devices (PMDs), carried out at the request of the European Commission.

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LEVA-EU welcomes the study’s recognition of the need for a universal approval system for PMDs, with the fourth regulatory option proposed as the most viable solution. This aligns with LEVA-EU’s long-standing pursuit of a dedicated LEV regulation. However, the association also raises concerns regarding the study’s numerous errors and omissions, particularly its oversight of key issues such as the negative impact of the current legislative framework on the sector, as well as the exclusion of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) recommendations for LEVs.

The shortcomings in the current legislation prevent LEVs from realising their full potential in sustainability and economic growth. LEVA-EU calls for the adoption of a new LEV-Regulation that would:

• Address current legislative barriers and inaccuracies that limit market entry for various LEV types.
• Ensure technology neutrality and the inclusion of essential safety standards, developed in close consultation with the LEV sector
• Offer a much more appropriate legislative framework to harmonise standards for LEVs, eliminating inadequate technical rules, as well as legal bottlenecks and improving legal certainty.

“LEVs are a cornerstone of Europe’s sustainable urban mobility goals, helping the EU move towards carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Annick Roetynck, Managing Director at LEVA-EU. “A dedicated LEV-Regulation would unlock immense economic potential for the sector and foster innovation, creating a thriving and sustainable industry that benefits both businesses and consumers.“

The association emphasises that the proposed regulation should:

• Cover all LEVs currently under Regulation (EU) 168/2013 and the Machinery Directive/Regulation, including electric cycles not necessarily with pedal assistance, speed pedelecs, e-scooters with seats, and more.
• Promote inclusivity by ensuring access to a wider variety of LEVs for people with disabilities and workers in sectors such as logistics and distribution.
• Facilitate the harmonisation of standards and provide legal certainty for companies, helping to drive innovation.

LEVA-EU further advocates for the establishment of a dedicated Commission Expert Group on LEVs to ensure systematic and meaningful consultation with the sector during the development of the LEV-Regulation.

In addition to its call for a new regulation, LEVA-EU announces that on 14 March, a key meeting will take place between LEVA-EU and the relevant European Commission department to discuss the future of LEV legislation. The association is committed to working closely with the Commission to ensure that the sector’s expertise and needs are fully reflected in the regulation’s development.