Tag Archive: Electric moped

  1. Barcelona introduces €600 subsidy for electric mopeds when replacing ICE models

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    Source: The Pack

    City authorities in Barcelona, Spain, introduced a new incentive on 1 March, 2026, whereby residents and businesses can apply for a subsidy of €600 when replacing an internal combustion engine (ICE) moped with a new electric model.

    The initiative applies specifically to mopeds in the L1e-B category (45 km/h), which is a hugely popular segment in Southern Europe, dominating urban two-wheeled mobility.

    The scheme has a total budget of €15 million over a scope of four years. Barcelona Mobility & Transport states that the €600 subsidy represents 16%-40% of the purchase price of a new electric moped, and has designed the scheme to be both straightforward and accessible:

    Individuals and companies wanting to apply for the €600 subsidy will only need two documents:

    • Proof of purchase of the electric moped
    • Proof of scrapping of the combustion vehicle
       

    Barcelona Municipal Services (BSM) depots offer a free scrapping service for citizens and the delivery of a valid certificate to apply for the grant.

    Applications will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual fund is exhausted.

    The subsidy is being implemented as a part of Barcelona’s broader climate strategy, the Pla Clima, which outlines the city’s roadmap toward climate neutrality by 2030.

  2. Rwanda to ban registration of petrol motorcycles for use as taxis

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    Source: The Heritage Times

    Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore, announced the ban which aims “to promote the use of cleaner, more efficient energy and reduce gas emissions“.

    Rwanda has announced plans to discontinue the registration of petrol-powered motorbike taxis starting next year, as part of its efforts to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). According to Minister of Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore, the initiative aims to promote cleaner energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    This policy will apply specifically to motorbike taxis operating in Kigali, where they are a primary mode of public transportation. Rwanda has introduced various incentives to encourage electrification, such as reduced electricity costs for charging, and tax exemptions for battery manufacturers.

    Government estimates indicate that the country has approximately 110,000 motorbikes, of which 70,000 are used as taxis, including 30,000 in Kigali.

    Eve Kayiranga, manager of SAFI Universal Link, a Rwandan company specialising in electric bikes, described the move as a “significant step forward for a greener city.” She highlighted its role in reducing emissions and supporting the development of e-mobility infrastructure.

    Drivers have also expressed support for the shift to electric motorbikes. Alfonse Mbarabuceye, 32, reported a 50% increase in his daily income since transitioning from a petrol-powered bike in 2022. “It has significantly reduced the cost of maintaining the bike, as all I have to do now is change its battery once or twice a day,” he noted.

    According to the UN Environment Programme, transportation is the fastest-growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions and is projected to contribute over 30% of future emissions. It is also a major source of short-lived climate pollutants.

    Rwanda has set ambitious goals for its electrification strategy, aiming to have 20% of buses, 30% of motorcycles, and 8% of cars powered by electricity by 2030. These efforts are part of the country’s broader objective to achieve carbon neutrality.

  3. Green light for scooter scheme: important for affordable mobility in urban areas

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    The Royal RAI Association welcomes the announced pilot for a subsidy program for electric mopeds and scooters. This new scheme offers low-income people a helping hand in the transition to zero emissions and ensures that they retain access to mobility. “This scheme is therefore essential for moped and light moped riders with a small wallet, especially where environmental zones are emerging,” says Martijn van Eikenhorst – Scooters section manager at the association and also chairman of Scooter Recycling Netherlands.

    Source: RAI

    Pilot subsidy scheme for electrification

    An amount of 3.5 million euros has been made available for the electrification of mopeds and mopeds for 2024 and the same amount for 2025. Municipalities can apply for money from this scheme to grant subsidies to minimum wage earners, with each municipality applying its own policy. Residents can then receive a subsidy for the purchase of an electric moped or moped. With this budget, it is estimated that more than 3,500 petrol scooters can be replaced with emission-free ones. The pilot scheme will open this summer, and the government will also start a promotional campaign for electric mopeds and scooters.

    Combating mobility poverty and offering freedom of choice

    This new subsidy scheme encourages municipalities to accelerate the electrification of scooters and mopeds. Municipalities often combine a scrappage scheme with subsidy offers for older scooters and mopeds, for example from before 2018, with the establishment of environmental zones. RAI Association attaches great importance to affordability and freedom of choice, especially for road users with limited financial capacity. They have often been riding their beloved moped or moped for years. Through this scheme they should be given the opportunity to purchase a new, comparable, but now electric vehicle. “Keep in mind that people want to choose a vehicle that suits them,” Van Eikenhorst emphasizes. “The moped and moped are then ideal for medium-long distances, commuting or a safe feeling in traffic late in the evening.”

    It’s the consumer and the government’s turn

    The manufacturers and importers of scooters and mopeds have taken the lead in electrification. The climate agreement expresses the ambition to only sell electric mopeds by 2025. Since then, and even before the government came up with concrete policy, electric mopeds and mopeds have taken off. By offering electric mobility early, the sector has already made significant progress. Of the mopeds registered in 2024, 50% are electric and the counter for electric mopeds reaches 32%. “The industry has taken its steps. It is now up to the consumer to choose electric. The government can now help with this with its policy.”

    Role of industry in the sustainable future

    RAI Association has actively contributed to setting up this pilot and welcomes its introduction by the cabinet. The association looks forward to further collaboration to accelerate the transition to emission-free mobility to realize a sustainable future, in which mobility not only remains accessible and affordable, but also contributes to a cleaner and healthier living environment. “RAI Association and Scooter Recycling Netherlands are discussion partners in various municipalities and cities regarding demolition schemes, environmental and zero-emission zones.” In response to the new subsidy scheme, Martijn van Eikenhorst, on behalf of the RAI Association, invites municipalities to get in touch about their sustainable ambitions.

    Read the letter to Parliament about making mopeds and light mopeds more sustainable here.

  4. UK government plug-in grant set to end for electric mopeds

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    Source: Motorcycle Trader

    The UK government has revealed its intentions for a partial extension of the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant (PIMG) specifically for motorcycles. However, it has advised that the scheme will cease for new L1e moped orders by the end of the current financial year (5th April 2024).

    The government announcement states “The PIMG was intended to bridge the cost between zero emission models and petrol/diesel equivalents, to  encourage early market growth. The grant has successfully provided more than £7m to support the purchase of over 12,000 vehicles.

    “With the market share for electric mopeds at over 40% in 2022, up from 1.8% in 2016, the Government has decided to close the PIMG for mopeds. The grant remains available for new L1e moped orders to be placed until 5 April 2024 only.

    “The government has always been clear that all plug-in vehicle grants would eventually end and previously confirmed funding until the 2023/24 financial year. However, the government recognises that continued support for motorcycles is needed in its transition to zero-emission.

    “We are therefore pleased to confirm that the PIMG will continue to be available for L3e-category vehicles (motorcycles) into the next financial year (2024/25), with no change to the grant rate.

    “The guidance on the GOV.UK website will be updated to reflect this announcement in due course. All plug-in vehicle grants will remain under review to deliver the greatest value for money for the taxpayer.”

  5. Vässla News

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    LEVA-EU member Vässla recently launched their brand new Vässla Bike after two years of developing in Sweden. According to CEO Rickard Bröms, ‘’Vässla Bike is slender as a kick-scooter, has the visual presence of an e-bike and the driving experience of an electric moped’’. 

    The Vässla Bike is a type approved L1e-B moped, throttle based and without pedals. Its sit-down position makes riding safe, comfortable and intuitive. Vässla believes that this light electric vehicle is suitable for all use-cases from personal to commercial or for global sharing fleets. Besides that, sustainability was one of the key factors to develop the Vässla Bike, which is also reflected in a sustainable production and recycling process.

    The Vässla Bike has a maximum design speed varying from 20 to 45 km/h, depending on specific national regulations. Most member states only have one type of moped in their traffic code, i.e. the 45 km/h. However, some member states do have a separate category for low speed mopeds. LEVA-EU has all further details on national traffic code regulations for mopeds. For information, please contact Daan van Dieren, daan@leva-eu.com.

    Find out more about Vässla