The LEVA-EU member is ready for China’s newly implemented E-Bike Safety Standard with their new compliant battery.
On December 1, 2025, China officially banned the sale of all e-bikes built to the older national standard, implementing the updated mandatory Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles. Any e-bike sold in China must now carry a valid China Compulsory Certificate (CCC) under this brand-new standard – older certificates are invalid.
These new rules go far beyond what most countries require. They tighten fire-resistance requirements, restrict plastic components to 5.5% of total weight, cap vehicle weight, and mandate improved electrical safety. Enhanced anti-tampering technologies for battery packs, controllers, and speed limiters curb illegal modifications at the source.
Working hand-in-hand with GB 43854-2024 – one of the world’s toughest lithium-ion battery standards (in place since October 2024 in China) – the regulations require mandatory over-charge protection, thermal abuse tests, puncture tests, and ban repurposed or second-hand cells, which have been a major cause of past fires. Greenway’s new 4828 lithium battery offers lightweight compliance, all-weather performance and maximum safety.
Lightweight compliance: Aerospace-grade magnesium alloy housing weighs just 9.6kg, helping meet strict weight requirements while enhancing fire resistance. Double-handle design enables flexible battery positioning.
All-weather performance: Charges at -10℃, discharges at -20℃, with 70km+ range for daily commuting and 5+ year lifespan that reduces total cost of ownership.
Maximum safety: GB 43854-2024 certified, passing nail puncture, drop, and water immersion tests. Greenway’s smart BMS continuously monitors battery parameters and protects against misuse and safety issues.
Overall, Greenway’s 4828 battery delivers on both the compliance and performance that e-mobility in China demands.
The LEVA-EU member announced that its duo bikes are now being used by Fietsmaatjes Brabant, an initiative that fosters social connection and inclusivity through shared cycling experiences.
Van Raam expressed its pride in supporting the programme, noting that it witnesses daily how transformative cycling can be for individuals of all ages and abilities. Through the Fietsmaatjes Brabant organisation, people who are no longer able to cycle independently can once again enjoy the freedom and joy of cycling by being paired with a volunteer “cycling buddy” who rides alongside them on a specially designed side-by-side tandem bike. The Fiestmaatjes Brabant initiative is operational in 13 municipalities across the Brabant region.
The initiative promotes inclusive mobility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can participate in outdoor activities and community engagement. A video released by Brabant Sport demonstrating the fun connections made possible through cycling together can be viewed here.
LEVA-EU member Dynamic Drives Giessen (DDG) sees their heavy-duty e-cargo bike, Intelectra, customised by gardening and agricultural tools specialist STIHL. The modular cargo bike provides a solid, capable mobility solution for garden landscapers and municipal teams working in urban environments.
Part of the Mobile Green Care concept presented by STIHL Sweden, the vehicle enables urban garden professionals to move efficiently and sustainable through complex city environments.
Advantages of e-cargo for urban micromobility
No driving licence required
Low running costs – no insurance, road tax, or MOT; minimal energy and maintenance costs
Zero emissions – reducing both exhaust and noise pollution
Direct site access – able to reach locations where larger vehicles cannot
Efficient range – ideal for short daily travel distances under 10 km
No entry permit needed – simplifying access to parks and restricted areas
Positive public perception – a cleaner, quieter, and more community-friendly way to work
Specifics of the DDG Intelectra
One highlight of the vehicle is its modular electric powertrain that requires less maintenance than traditional chain or gear systems.
Key Intelectra specifications:
Payload: up to 400 kg
Dimensions (L/W/H): 313 / 98 / 106 cm (180 cm with body)
Range: approx. 100 km
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Top speed: 25 km/h
Climbing ability: up to 15% gradient, fully loaded
Reverse gear included for easier manoeuvring
This flexible design integrates weather protection, modular storage systems, and adaptable attachments, making it suitable for a variety of urban maintenance and logistics tasks.
Manuel Messmer, who leads LEVA-EU member SOL Motors, joined Charging Stack, a prominent electric mobility podcast, to discuss the award-winning Pocket Rocket model and his vision for design, innovation, and the future of e-mobility.
Known for its bold minimalist design and cutting-edge engineering, SOL Motors has been redefining what urban mobility can look and feel like. With a vision being rooted in sustainability, innovation, and aesthetic precision, the brand continues to turn heads across the global light electric vehicle scene.
The interview covers Messmer’s perspective on topics including:
The journey of SOL Motors and how its Pocket Rocket was born
Why it has been described as “not quite a moped, not quite an e-bike”
How minimalist design meets the needs of the real world for rideability
Regulations shaping micromobility adoption across Europe
The future of light electric vehicles in urban transportation, and what is next for SOL Motors
From its beginnings in Stuttgart to becoming a renowned European brand in electric mobility that has won numerous design awards, SOL Motors exemplifies engineering excellence and design artistry in helping to shape the future of electric mobility.
The full episode with SOL Motor’s Founder and CEO can be watched on YouTube.
The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) warns of a “fake e-bike” safety crisis and calls for urgent Government action.
APPGCW has published a report titled “Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes”, which outlines “How fake e-bikes pose a safety risk and undermine the UK’s active travel efforts”. APPGCW also made an announcement to accompany the report’s release, which is shared in full below. APPGCW has also written to the head of Amazon UK, calling on the business to immediately stop sales of non-road legal cycles which are capable of travelling at 40 mph, as well as all equipment used to turn legitimate e-bikes into so-called “fake e-bikes”.
Similar concerns are being aired in Australia, where an increased use of electric-powered bikes for food delivery has been noted, and industry bodies are campaigning for legal changes to be made. “The rules are already there under the Road Vehicle Standards Act. But they’re being ignored by overseas sellers, by delivery platform operators, and increasingly by riders who use these bikes for commercial gain,” said Peter Jones, CEO of the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce.
APPGCW Announcement
Unsafe e-bike products linked to fires and gig economy exploitation prompt calls for online marketplace regulation, scrappage schemes, and stronger protections for riders.
A new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) warns of a growing public safety and fire risk caused by the widespread use of unsafe, illegally modified e-bikes, referred to as “fake e-bikes”, purchased through online marketplaces and frequently used in the gig economy.
The cross-party report follows a detailed inquiry that took both written and oral evidence from fire services, police, industry bodies, gig economy workers, academics, and regulators. It finds that the UK’s lack of regulation and enforcement around e-bike safety is putting lives at risk, particularly among delivery riders operating in low-paid, high-pressure environments.
The report heard evidence that the current food delivery systems are comparable to the ‘sweated labour’ of England’s 1840s industrial revolution and that witnesses had “never seen people on a daily basis as badly exploited as food delivery riders”.
During the inquiry, the APPGCW was able to easily find e-bikes sold by major online retailers with 40 mph speeds described as ‘for city commutes’, and a 2000W bike with a throttle pictured being used on city streets; both are illegal. Another search on Amazon found an unsafe charger with an unfused clover leaf plug, and multiple charging cables supplied, both of which are considered a fire risk by experts.
Among the key issues identified in the report “Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes”:
– A surge in battery fires caused by unregulated e-bike conversion kits, low-cost batteries, and poor-quality imports.
– Exploitation of gig economy riders, who are incentivised to use faster, often illegal bikes to meet delivery targets.
– Online marketplaces selling unsafe products with little or no oversight, enforcement, or legal liability.
– Confusion for landlords, insurers, and transport operators, leading to blanket bans that affect users of legitimate e-bikes, including disabled people.
The report makes urgent recommendations, including:
– Calling on online retailers to immediately withdraw unsafe e-bike items from sale.
– Making online marketplaces legally accountable for unsafe listings.
– Working to create a government-backed e-bike safety kitemark in order to enable transport authorities and insurance companies to confidently lift e-bike bans.
– Reinstating ‘worker’ status for gig economy riders to guarantee rights and protections.
– Ending the Road-Legal Loophole that allows illegal vehicles to be sold under the guise of off-road use.
– Enforcing compliance from delivery platforms. Require delivery companies to run real-time compliance checks on the bikes used by couriers.
– Equipping police with new, simpler powers to seize unsafe e-bikes.
– Introducing a scrappage scheme for dangerous bikes used by couriers, funded by delivery companies.
Fabian Hamilton MP, Chair of the APPGCW, said:
“This is a crisis hiding in plain sight. While responsible cycling businesses continue to meet high safety standards, the rise of illegal and unsafe e-bikes, often bought online and used in the gig economy, has created serious risks for riders, the public, and the future of active travel. We need urgent action from Government and industry to stop unsafe products entering the UK and to protect those being exploited while trying to earn a living.”
The report highlights the need for a cross-departmental response and urges Government to act decisively through an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill and take on board the report’s recommendations for the upcoming Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to close dangerous loopholes, improve enforcement capacity, and support the shift to safe, sustainable transport.
Targeted searches of two warehouses in Wexford by Irish Customs Authorities have led to the seizure of over 4,000 e-bikes, plus undisclosed numbers of e-scooters and bike parts and accessories. The haul, illegally imported into the European Union, is estimated to be worth €4.5 million in retail value.
The Irish operation was conducted as part of a larger international initiative supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), in which several EU member states have worked together to tackle the unlawful import and sale of e-bikes.
OLAF has highlighted the potential repercussions of such illegally imported products entering the market. The e-bikes could have been sold to consumers without the VAT being paid, thereby undercutting legitimate e-bike sellers. The unpaid import duties associated with the Irish seizure are estimated at €2.8 million. Director-General of OLAF, Ville Itälä, said, “This case highlights the value of close cooperation between OLAF and Member State authorities in protecting the EU’s financial interests, ensuring fair competition, and safeguarding the integrity of the single market.
“By working closely with Member States, OLAF helps ensure that those who try to exploit EU rules are identified and stopped. Together, we are making it clear that such abuse will not go unchecked.”
LEVA-EU calls for greater market surveillance against illegal products and revision of anti-dumping measures for components
The Irish Customs operation can be seen as part of a broader effort across the EU to tackle customs fraud in the e-bike market. There was recent widespread reporting of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launching a major investigation across several EU countries, focused on uncovering instances of disassembled e-bikes made in China and reassembled in the EU to avoid anti-dumping duties. LEVA-EU has made several statements in light of these developments, making the case for greater market surveillance which would help eliminate the proliferation of non-compliant e-bikes, and revision of the rulings around anti-dumping measures.
There have been well-publicised incidents recently of increased enforcement against non-compliant electric two-wheelers, such as several UK police forces seizing bikes from users which do not meet the definition of electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs). PC Matthew Dilks of Suffolk Police summarised the situation succinctly when speaking to the BBC. “If an electric bike does not meet the standards then they are technically classed as motorcycles. They therefore need to be insured and registered and the rider needs to wear a crash helmet. You can have a normal mountain bike that has had a battery and a motor retrofitted to it that is completely illegal because it is too powerful and goes too fast.”
“Just like vehicle drivers, some people take responsibility and some buy these bikes without double checking and making sure they are legal. As always there are some people who are honestly going about their day and some who are consciously not following the rules. Either way it is important for us to educate, make sure we are strict, and have a zero tolerance approach to make sure members of the public are kept safe.”
The UK’s Bicycle Association (BA) has published a comprehensive E-bike Action Plan for the government, which aims to tackle the thorny topic of fires which are attributed to unsafe e-bike batteries.
The plan takes care to emphasise strongly that these fires are mainly caused by unsafe or incompatible products which have been sourced from poorly-regulated online marketplaces; this is in contrast to standards-compliant, safe e-bike products which are handled and sold by many of BA’s member retailers. The plan also highlights that the “gig economy” of delivery riders is one of the main catalysts in the demand for the unsafe products, and calls for reform of this sector.
The BA outlines three key actions required of Government:
Stop unsafe imports, particularly those reaching consumers directly via poorly regulated online marketplaces
Reform of the “gig economy” delivery sector, which drives demand for unsafe e-bike conversion kits, batteries and chargers, and incentivises the “tuning” or de-restriction of legal e-bikes
Close legal loopholes which permit the legal sale of non-road-legal e-bikes and conversion kits
BA Executive Director, Steve Garidis, said:
“Even the safest, fully legal e-bikes are being seriously reputationally damaged by association with fires in unsafe products completely beyond the UK industry’s control. The legitimate e-bike category in the UK is at serious risk as a result. E-bike sales have fallen significantly in recent years, in stark contrast to the worldwide trend, as users face repeated headlines about e-bike dangers, and consequent blanket restrictions on access and insurance.
Companies in the legitimate UK cycle industry take full legal responsibility for the safety of the products they supply. We think it’s high time that the online marketplaces and gig economy delivery companies take on that same responsibility, and that sales of non-road-legal e-bikes are banned.”
The plan also highlights that the UK cycling industry is already proactively helping consumers and other stakeholders (including premises managers and transport operators) to distinguish between reputable, safe e-bikes and high-risk products. Steps taken include:
Setting up a voluntary “BA register of safety-audited e-bike brands”, enabling consumers identify reputable brands
Establishing the “E-bike Positive Responsible Retailer Pledge” to identify shops committed the safe supply and repair of e-bikes and associated components
Publishing consumer guidance to assist in buying and charging safely
Engaging actively with key stakeholders including government, transport authorities, public transport operators and organisations, the insurance and underwriter industries, international standards development bodies, fire and rescue services, safety charities and more
Electric bicycle use for commuting is increasing across a broader segment of the Dutch population, with differences among age, gender, education, and income groups gradually narrowing.
This trend is supported by research conducted by Eindhoven University of Technology, based on national travel data collected between 2014 and 2021. While electric bike usage is observed throughout the Netherlands, it is particularly prevalent in rural areas.
The study analyzed data from the “Survey of Travel in the Netherlands” (OViN) and “Underway in the Netherlands” (ODiN), focusing specifically on commuting trips made with various transport modes, including privately owned pedal-assist electric bicycles.
Trends in ownership
The proportion of Dutch households owning an electric bicycle increased steadily between 2014 and 2021, with a noticeable acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic. E-bike ownership has historically been associated with certain socio-economic characteristics, such as higher income levels and households that also own a car, but these associations have become less pronounced over time. Smaller households continue to show higher rates of e-bike ownership compared to larger households, although this gap is also narrowing.
Geographic location plays a role in ownership patterns. Residents in rural areas are more likely to own electric bicycles compared to those in urban settings. Factors such as the availability of alternative transport options and greater accessibility in cities may influence this difference. Nonetheless, ownership is on the rise across both urban and rural regions.
Commuting patterns
Commuting by e-bike has increased among all age groups. Although the highest usage remains among individuals aged 60 and older, growth is evident among people under 40. This shift may reflect changing perceptions of e-bikes as a suitable commuting option, possibly influenced by the pandemic, which positioned the e-bike as a viable alternative to public transportation.
Differences in usage based on gender and education persist; women and individuals with higher education levels continue to use e-bikes more frequently, but these disparities are also diminishing. Most commuting trips by e-bike cover distances up to 10 kilometers. Usage is less common for routes with high accessibility, though this is becoming a less significant factor over time.
Policy implications
The findings provide insights into the evolving dynamics of e-bike ownership and commuting use, which may support the development of targeted transportation and environmental policies. As e-bikes gain popularity across a wider range of demographic groups, infrastructure developments, such as expanded charging facilities at homes and workplaces, may become increasingly necessary.
Researchers emphasise that e-bikes should no longer be considered a niche form of transport limited to older adults, higher-income households, or specific education levels. Instead, they are becoming a mainstream commuting option. The study also suggests that initiatives to promote e-bike use may yield more impact in rural areas, where both ownership and usage are currently more prevalent.
LEVA-EU members Stromer and Ellio were announced in first and second place respectively in the speed pedelec category of VAB’s Bike of the Year 2025 list, an annual round-up that assists in electric bike, speed pedelec or cargo bike purchasing decisions.
This is the eleventh edition of the popular “Bike of the Year” selection by VAB, a Belgian roadside assistance organisation that repairs bicycles, cars and motorcycles.
VAB’s Bike of the Year selection process
VAB winners are partly chosen by consumers as well as a professional jury of bicycle industry experts, with each of the bikes being judged on technical specifications such as manoeuvrability, steering behaviour, comfort, ergonomics, safety, pedal assistance and price-quality ratio. This year, there were 45 bicycles competing for Bike of the Year recognition in the categories of e-bike economy (a maximum support of 25 km/h, with a maximum price of €3,250), e-bike premium, speed pedelec, and new for this year, a cargo bike category for both longtail and box-type cargo bikes.
Stromer’s ST5 Smart.Shift crowned best speed pedelec
The VAB jury selected this model as their winner, with the panel of everyday riders and e-bike experts being impressed by the ST5 Smart.Shift’s powerful motor, dynamic riding feel, intuitive support as well as its high safety performance, “Especially the motor, support, ride feel and safety gave the ST5 Smart.Shift the edge,” says Jan Creten from VAB.
This model is a powerful crowd-pleaser with its quiet 850-watt rear-wheel motor, premium components, and electronic Pinion Smart.Shift system that delivers high performance with speed and precision, with a range of up to 180 km.
Its innovative design also comes with the groundbreaking Stromer Sound System and a new recyclable carbon-reinforced mudguard, which in comparison to aluminium mudguards, reduces CO2 footprint by 50%.
Stromer acknowledges the importance of winning the best speed pedelec award in empowering cleaner and more conscious commuting, “We want to inspire people to choose mobility that makes them — and society — healthier, happier, and more sustainable,” says Bram Ariese, Marketing Manager BeNeLux at myStromer Europe.
The Ellio Original takes the second podium place
VAB described the Ellio Original as being a credible runner-up with its sharp price of €6,995.
Ellio itself describes it as a speed pedelec that’s built for urban riders of varied ages and sizes, with highlights including its powerful double motor, automatic switching system, large removable battery and regenerative back-pedal brake. Its stealthy design has a 1150 WH battery which brings a range of 50-200 km, and is equipped to carry loads of up to 160 kg. More information about the Ellio Original can be found on the Ellio website.
