Tag Archive: LEV-Regulation

  1. LEVA-EU Open Letter to European Commissioners Wopke Hoekstra and Jessika Roswall on the Automotive Industrial Action Plan: Europe must embrace the LEV industry to reach its climate and competitiveness goals

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    Dear Commissioners,

    On behalf of Europe’s Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) industry, LEVA-EU expresses its gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the dialogue on the Automotive Industrial Action Plan.

    Upon the release of the Plan on 5 March, LEVA-EU expresses its disappointment at the lack of vision on what Europe can achieve in zero-emission mobility innovations and the low level of commitment to our set climate goals, despite the fruitful discussions that had taken place.

    Concretely, LEVA-EU would like to state its position on the Plan in the following points:

    1. Establish a Dedicated LEV Regulation
      As stated in our position paper, LEVA-EU urges the European Commission to urgently follow up on the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) recommendations adopted by the Commission to develop a dedicated technical LEV Regulation and set up a Commission LEV Expert Group.
      Currently, LEVs are constrained by regulatory frameworks designed for conventional mopeds and motorcycles, namely Regulation (EU) 168/2013 and for machines, through the Machinery Regulation. This misalignment hinders market growth, stifles innovation, and prevents certain vital LEV solutions, such certain types of electric (carrier) cycles and seated e-scooters from entering the market, while obstructing other solutions such as speed pedelecs and micro-cars from full market potential. A dedicated LEV regulation would remove these barriers and ensure that related legislation, such as the Battery Regulation, the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), and the CO₂ Emission Performance Regulation, is optimally aligned with LEVs.
    2. Revise the Zero- and Low-Emission Vehicle (ZLEV) Credit System to Include LEVs
      It is socially irresponsible to exclude LEVs from the ZLEV credit system under Regulation (EU) 2019/631 while continuing to incentivize the transition to electric M-category vehicles. This exclusion paradoxically encourages citizens to purchase heavy electric SUVs instead of adopting lightweight, sustainable LEVs. We call on the European Commission to revise this credit system to reflect the full range of zero-emission mobility options.
    3. Strengthen Support for LEVs in Urban Mobility and Logistics
      The Commission’s aim to boost demand for European-made zero-emission vehicles should not dismantle progress made on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP). Urban mobility must serve citizens and businesses by keeping cars, trucks, and coaches out of cities, actively promoting LEVs and public transport instead. Incentive schemes aimed at increasing car demand must not undermine efforts to reduce congestion.
      We strongly urge the European Commission to integrate LEVs into its strategy to decarbonize corporate fleets. E-cargo bikes, for instance, are already integral to transport and logistics supply chains and should receive further support. LEVs must also be included in the incentive mechanism for zero- and low-emission vehicles (ZLEV) and in both the Plan’s proposed Member States’ incentive schemes for consumers and the social leasing scheme. This inclusion will allow the LEV sector to demonstrate how it’s an integral part of the solution toward Europe’s green and competitiveness ambitions.
    4. Remove Trade Barriers Hindering the LEV Industry
      The European Commission must address trade barriers obstructing LEV market growth, particularly anti-dumping duties on bicycle components from China. These duties, in place since 1993 and extended to components in 1997, impose excessive administrative burdens and hinder EU industry growth. Given the ongoing shortage of essential bicycle components within the EU, these duties must be abolished immediately to foster a competitive LEV industry in Europe.
    5. Strengthen Our Manufacturing Supply Chain
      LEVA-EU supports the Commission’s goal of reducing foreign dependencies. However, policymakers must not inadvertently harm the industry by restricting access to vital materials and components currently unavailable in Europe in sufficient supply and/or at competitive prices. With several of our members innovating in battery and other technologies, we urge the Commission to collaborate with industry leaders to secure essential supply chains.
    6. Maintain Strict Emission Targets for the Automotive Sector
      The proposed amendment of CO₂ standards for cars and vans over 2025-2027 sends the wrong signal that previous inaction by part of the automotive industry is acceptable. This move undermines other industries’ efforts to comply with regulations and weakens the impact of future climate deadlines. The EU must maintain strict emission reduction targets to support the transition toward sustainable mobility.

    Conclusion

    The Automotive Industrial Action Plan, as published, falls short of its potential to unlock European industrial competitiveness and meet climate targets for transport. LEVA-EU firmly believes that implementing the six measures outlined above will enable the LEV sector to thrive while advancing the EU’s environmental and economic objectives.

    Europe cannot afford to remain trapped in outdated transport paradigms. The EU must embrace LEVs as an integral part of its mobility future. We stand ready to engage further with you on how our industry can help achieve these goals, as outlined in our position paper.

    Yours sincerely,

    Annick Roetynck
    Managing Director, LEVA-EU

  2. Transforming Urban Deliveries: The Impact of Cargo Bikes in Belgium

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    The logistics sector is undergoing a significant transformation as cities seek more sustainable and efficient solutions for urban deliveries. A study commissioned by the Belgian Cycle Logistics Federation and conducted by Kale AI provides compelling data on the advantages of cargo bikes over traditional vans in dense urban environments. Analyzing over 32,500 deliveries across multiple Belgian cities, the study demonstrates the operational efficiency, economic benefits, and environmental impact of transitioning to cycle logistics.

    Cargo Bikes vs. Vans: A Performance Breakthrough

    The study focused on KGS Group, a logistics operator that successfully integrated cargo bikes into its delivery fleet. The findings reveal that cargo bikes outperform vans in dense urban areas, achieving 28% higher delivery rates per hour. In high-density zones, cargo bikes consistently complete 22-25 deliveries per hour, while vans struggle with efficiency due to congestion and parking challenges.

    One of the most striking results is the impact of cargo bikes in Brussels’ city center, where deliveries by bike are completed 30% faster than by van. In the most challenging areas, cargo bikes reduce service times by up to 75%, saving logistics companies up to three hours per 100 deliveries. This efficiency translates into significant cost savings and improved reliability for logistics operators.

    Beyond Speed: Environmental and Urban Benefits

    The shift to cargo bikes also presents major environmental and social advantages. The study shows that replacing diesel vans with cargo bikes can reduce CO2 emissions by 98%, with an equally significant reduction in noise pollution. Given that 75% of Brussels’ population lives in areas where cargo bikes operate efficiently, the potential for a widespread positive impact is enormous.

    Furthermore, cargo bikes require far less space than traditional delivery vans, helping to alleviate urban congestion and parking issues. Their ability to access pedestrian zones and restricted areas makes them an ideal solution for last-mile delivery, particularly as cities implement stricter low-emission and traffic reduction policies.

    Key Applications: E-Commerce, B2B, and Shuttle Services

    Cargo bikes are already proving highly effective in various logistics applications, including:

    • B2C parcel deliveries: High-density e-commerce deliveries benefit from the speed and agility of cargo bikes.
    • B2B parcel logistics: Office supplies, food products, and technical equipment can be efficiently transported across business districts.
    • Urban shuttle services: Cargo bikes excel in fixed-route operations, such as medical sample transfers or inter-office deliveries.

    Strategic Recommendations for Logistics Operators

    The study highlights the need for logistics operators to adopt a mixed-fleet approach, strategically deploying cargo bikes in high-density zones while using vans for suburban and long-distance deliveries. Key recommendations include:

    • Investment in micro-hubs: Locating distribution points closer to urban centers can further enhance the efficiency of cargo bike operations.
    • Smart route planning: Data-driven optimization of delivery routes ensures maximum efficiency and cost savings.
    • Infrastructure improvements: Expanding bike-friendly urban infrastructure will support the growth of cycle logistics.

    Conclusion: A Call for a LEV-Regulation

    With urban freight expected to increase in the coming years, the adoption of cargo bikes represents a scalable and sustainable solution for the future of city logistics. The study’s findings provide a strong case for businesses, policymakers, and city planners to accelerate the transition to cycle logistics, improving urban mobility, reducing emissions, and enhancing delivery efficiency.

    LEVA-EU strongly encourages logistics operators to explore not only cargo bike integration but also other available light electric vehicles such as cargo e-scooters, three- and four-wheeled cargo mopeds, and even microcars. LEVA-EU also calls on EU policymakers to support this shift through regulatory changes. A dedicated LEV Regulation, as recommended by the Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility and endorsed by the European Commission, will open the market for new types of cargo vehicles. Many of these are currently obstructed from entering the market due to outdated and inadequate legislation.

    As Belgium’s success story demonstrates, the time for change is now—cargo bikes and other light electric cargo vehicles are not just an alternative; they are the future of sustainable urban logistics.

  3. LEVA-EU Urges European Commission to Speed Up an EU Regulation for Light Electric Vehicles

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    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.

    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.

  4. LEVA-EU Secures Major Recognition for Light Electric Mobility in EGUM Recommendations

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    LEVA-EU’s active participation in the European Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) has led to a significant milestone: the official recognition of light electric mobility as a key component of sustainable urban mobility. This recognition, alongside walking and cycling, was successfully integrated into the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030. It highlights LEVA-EU’s influential role in shaping policies that acknowledge the importance of light electric mobility, ensuring that it is considered within the context of road safety and urban logistics.

    On 17 February 2025, the EGUM published its final set of reports, including a range of recommendations and feedback on urban mobility topics, concluding its 2023-2024 Work Programme. Among the key areas covered in the reports were Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs), the use of data for zero-emission urban logistics, parking policies, and urban mobility transformation driven by technological and societal trends. These recommendations aim to improve urban mobility systems, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance safety for all users, including those of light electric mobility devices.

    LEVA-EU actively participated in several subgroups of EGUM, contributing to a major achievement: the official acknowledgment of light electric mobility alongside walking and cycling. In the Recommendations for the Commission’s mid-term review of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030, LEVA-EU successfully ensured that every statement, previously limited to walking and cycling, was supplemented by light electric mobility. Furthermore, EGUM officially recognised that a better definition of ‘vulnerable road users’ should include light electric mobility and micromobility devices.

    Further recommendations from EGUM within this framework include:

    • The Commission should incentivise local authorities to better count pedestrians, cyclists, and users of light electric mobility and micromobility, while also recording their behavior in traffic and their self-reported experiences on the roads, including their perceptions of safety.
    • Minimum requirements for improving existing road infrastructure and creating new infrastructure are essential for reducing road deaths and serious injuries among people who walk, cycle, use light electric vehicles, micromobility devices, and powered two-wheelers. Such requirements should eventually be incorporated into EU law to complement (and not overrule) existing high-quality infrastructure guidelines.
    • The Commission should, together with Member States, develop a new EU Key Performance Indicator (KPI) on pedestrian, cyclist, light electric mobility, and powered two-wheeler infrastructure safety as part of the KPIs in the EU Road Safety Strategy.

    Furthermore, EGUM explicitly pointed out that many new light electric vehicles are on the road without being properly recognised in EU technical legislation and national traffic codes. This lack of recognition and the ensuing inadequate legislation create risks for the users of these vehicles. Without this recognition, users cannot be properly protected on the road. Harmonised technical rules, road traffic rules, and road safety statistics must be adapted to include these vehicles. The Commission must develop harmonized technical legislation and mandate related standards, specifically for these vehicles, in close consultation with the light electric vehicle sector. The Commission must also collaborate with Member States on streamlining traffic codes for light electric vehicles and on fully acknowledging them in road infrastructure.

    The same recognition was reinforced in the recommendations on Urban Logistics: see EGUM Recommendations on Data Sharing for Sustainable Urban Logistics.

    The full set of EGUM reports and recommendations is available here: Expert Group on Urban Mobility.

  5. LEVA-EU Calls for Legislative Action to Unlock the Full Potential of Light Electric Vehicles in Europe

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    Last week, LEVA-EU represented the Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) sector at the Thematic Working Group ‘Clean Transition and Decarbonisation’ under the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry. The meeting was hosted by Commissioners Hoekstra and Roswall. Following this meeting, LEVA-EU has published a position paper titled “Unlocking the Potential of Light Electric Vehicles to Address Challenges in the EU Automotive Sector”. The position paper outlines the significant environmental and economic benefits of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) and highlights the urgent need for regulatory reforms to allow the sector to thrive.

    The Growth of the LEV Market

    The LEV market has seen rapid expansion, surpassing 10 million vehicles in 2023. A study commissioned by LEVA-EU from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) found that 76% of all car trips could be replaced by an LEV, potentially leading to a 44% reduction in CO₂-equivalent emissions. Despite this potential, the sector is still constrained by outdated legislation designed for either traditional mopeds and motorcycles or for machines.

    Five Key Policy Demands from LEVA-EU

    To address these challenges, LEVA-EU has put forward five concrete legislative changes:

    1. Follow-up on the EGUM recommendations adopted by the Commission by developing a dedicated technical LEV-Regulation and setting up a Commission LEV Expert Group;
    2. Review of the ZLEV credit system in Regulation (EU) 2019/6316 to include LEVs;
    3. Launch of a dialogue between Commission and Member States to raise awareness of LEV-inclusion in
      initiatives promoting electrification;
    4. Immediate abolishment of anti-dumping duties on bicycle components from China;
    5. Maintain strict emission targets for automotive sector.

    Regulatory Barriers Holding Back the LEV Sector

    The position paper highlights that LEVs remain trapped in legal frameworks that fail to recognize their distinct nature. Regulation (EU) 168/2013 and the Machinery Directive impose unnecessary restrictions, preventing certain LEVs—such as seated e-scooters and non-pedal-assist e-bikes—from entering the market. Additionally, speed pedelecs continue to face excessive regulatory hurdles, including emissions testing—despite being zero-emission vehicles.

    LEVA-EU urges the European Commission to take immediate action by drafting legislative amendments that align LEVs with modern mobility needs. Without these changes, European businesses and consumers will continue to face unnecessary restrictions on sustainable transport options.

    The paper also highlights how outdated trade policies, particularly anti-dumping duties on bicycle components from China, are stifling the LEV industry. These duties, in place since 1997, create significant administrative burdens, especially for start-ups. LEVA-EU calls for their immediate removal to support European LEV-manufacturers and encourage market expansion.

    A Call to Action

    As the EU prepares its next industrial strategy for the automotive sector, LEVA-EU stresses that zero-emission mobility solutions must extend beyond electric cars to include the full spectrum of LEVs. By implementing the proposed reforms, the EU can unlock the full potential of LEVs, contributing to a cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable transport ecosystem.

    For more details, read the full position paper here https://tinyurl.com/ycyu4fs2.

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