What is What?
There are weird new EVs popping up every day – often faster than legislation can keep up with them. For this reason, the discussion is limited to discussing motorbikes already covered by the law.
Different Laws – Similar Principles
Despite some confusing messaging, the legalities of electric motorcycles are underpinned by the same logic as those surrounding combustion motorbikes.
More powerful electric bikes have age and license restrictions. Electric motorbikes, mopeds, and scooters with limited power are easier to get a license for and easier to insure.
L1e-B Electric Scooters & Mopeds
Electric scooters and mopeds restricted to 28mph are in category L1e-B. They are governed by laws very similar to those concerning standard 50cc mopeds.
Riders must be 16+ and have passed a CBT. If you have a category AM or P on your existing driving license, you can also use this class of scooter/moped.
The AM or P stamp is found on most full UK driving licenses issued before 2001. Anyone with these stamps on their driving license or with a full motorcycle license isn’t required to take a CBT course before riding an electric scooter/moped.
L3e-A1 Electric Motorcycles and Scooters
Electric scooters and motorcycles that can go faster than 28mph fall into this classification. Obviously, this is a much bigger category than L1e-B.
There are subdivisions based on power, but all riders need to be 17+.
Holders of a full motorcycle license can ride any machine in this class.
Peak Power vs Continuous Power
One huge difference between combustion and electric vehicles is how their power is rated under the law. Combustion motorcycles are rated on peak power (the highest average power output recorded over a specific time).
The rating/homologation of electric bikes is based on continuous power – an output the motor can maintain indefinitely under normal circumstances.
This is significant because of the way most electric motorbikes are deliberately restricted to satisfy legal criteria.
The power output that many of these bikes are capable of isn’t reflected in their consumer configuration. An 11kW motor, for example, is capable of much higher peak power if unrestricted. The 11kW output is deliberately enforced by a control unit. If this unit is bypassed or altered (which is generally not difficult to do), the same motor can crank out much more power. This is illegal for road use but very common.
Insurance companies may be slow to cover electric bikes due to the sheer e-torque
Torque is another huge factor to discuss. E-torque is a totally different animal.
Looking at the kW or bhp numbers of an electric motorcycle can be disingenuous to those used to combustion machines. Even with relatively low bhp numbers, these bikes are capable of massive torque.
Even the smallest of electric machines deliver a kind of smooth, continuous acceleration that is totally unique to the format – and potentially dangerous to the uninitiated.
This may explain why, despite their legal status, electric motorcycles aren’t always easy to insure. Read more about electric motorcycle insurance.
Attention: “Make sure to check your local laws and restrictions. It’s different from country to country.”