Interview with Bosch e-bike boss: "EU regulation that doesn't fit the problem"

Our exemption from type approval will be withdrawn. And then all e-bikes will slip into the speed pedelec class. In other words, all e-bikes would be subject to approval. Manufacturers would have to submit every component to the Federal Motor Vehicle Authority, dealers would no longer be allowed to make any changes to the bike, and the bikes would need insurance. This would be a profitable business case for insurance companies, as there are over 30 million e-bikes on the road in Europe without insurance. And the technical testing institutes would also benefit from type approval. They could then say, “E-bikes are far too unsafe, we urgently need a technical inspection.”

This is clearly where things are going, but it's a bit of a unsolvable conundrum. Even e-bikes which are EU-certified (i.e. no throttle and speed limitation) can often be jailbroken pretty easily. And police on the street can't be expected to arbitrate all that. It's going to be so tempting just to ban anything with a motor (or battery) from trains and maybe even bike lanes. A bit of a tragedy of the commons.

the DJI motor is light/cool. 120nm/1000w, up to anyway (current model is 105nm and 840w). It's meant for $10k mtbs. Bosch has always competed in this segment, and it's simply not one worth regulating. The advantages of the "Bosch midmotor category" has always been high torque to weight/nominal watt ratio, low weight, and extreme handling needs.

For cargo/touring, fat bikes, 1000w or 750w hub motors are needed and ideal and more affordable, and therefore better car replacements. Regulation should be about how fast/safe you should ride when passing other vehicles and people.

Bosch is the company responsible for EU regulations to prevent useful hub motors, btw.