LEVA-EU has issued an open letter, addressed to ZIV, CONEBI, and the European Commission, warning that the ZIV proposal for more requirements on Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPACs) would cripple innovation, accessibility, and sustainability in Europe’s light electric mobility sector.

The open letter, see below – now open for signatures from companies, researchers, users, and associations across the LEV community – calls on the two trade associations and on the European institution to reject ZIV’s proposal and instead work with stakeholders on a dedicated, technology-neutral LEV Regulation.

What’s in ZIV’s Proposal?

On 7 April 2025, ZIV published its position paper “E-bikes – Active Mobility as Success Factor”. Behind the polished language lies a restrictive agenda: arbitrary technical limits on EPACs, including:

• maximum assistance ratios
• peak power caps
• vehicle weight limits

If enacted, these rules would force countless Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPACs) into the L-category type-approval system under Regulation 168/2013 — a costly, outdated, and unsuitable regime.

Why We Wrote the Open Letter

In the letter, LEVA-EU and co-signatories warn that this proposal would:

• Eliminate entire categories of LEVs crucial for logistics, inclusivity, and sustainable transport.
• Discriminate against elderly, disabled, and physically weaker users, restricting their access to essential mobility.
• Protect incumbent interests while penalising innovators and start-ups.
• Undermine the EU’s Green Deal and climate goals, limiting the modal shift potential of LEVs.

The open letter stresses: “Do not let Europe become the desert of light electric mobility innovations.”

A Structural Problem Needs a Structural Fix

The letter also highlights the legal flaw in EU rules: the split between Regulation 168/2013 and the Machinery Directive, both inadequate for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs).

Today, nearly identical vehicles face radically different rules, one example:

• a 250W EPAC escapes type-approval,
• while that same EPAC with 300W must undergo expensive and unsuitable testing.

This violates the principle of technology neutrality enshrined in EU law. Instead of correcting this, ZIV’s proposal would make the situation worse.

The Call: A Dedicated LEV Regulation

The open letter urges all addressees the European Commission to brush asise ZIV’s restrictions and instead work with the LEV community to establish a dedicated LEV Regulation — a fair, proportionate, and future-proof framework that supports innovation, accessibility, and Europe’s climate goals. This is more than a policy debate. It is a defining moment: will Europe lead the world in clean, inclusive mobility, or will it allow protectionism and outdated rules to hold us back?

Join the Movement – and Mobilise Others

Read and sign the full open letter below.

Then, go one step further: share it with your colleagues, partners, and networks. Every signature strengthens our message to policymakers that Europe’s future in light electric mobility cannot be sacrificed to outdated rules and protectionist agendas.

Together, we can stop ZIV’s attack on light electric mobility.

Read and sign the full open letter here.

Stand with LEVA-EU. Sign the open letter.
Please note that when you sign, your name, company/organisation and your job title will be published