Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldragbagger
These are the three classes of Ebikes. Not sure where those 70 mph bikes fit in.
CLASS I EBIKES
Class I eBike use a battery and electric motor to provide assistance at up to 20 MPH when the rider is pedaling (pedal assist). Class I eBikes can go faster than 20 MPH, for example, when going downhill, but the electric motor will stop providing assistance once 20 MPH is reached.
EBikes with throttles can turn on the electric motor and propel the bike without the rider pedaling. Class I eBikes cannot have a throttle - they can only provide assistance when the rider is pedaling.
CLASS II EBIKES
Class II eBike work in two ways. First, the electric motor provides assistance at up to 20 MPH when the rider is pedaling, just like a Class I eBike. Second, Class II eBikes include a throttle, which can go up to 20 MPH without the rider pedaling.
This flexibility is ideal for many riders. On a Class II eBike, the rider can pedal for fun, exercise, and fitness, but retain the ability to use the throttle for help when desired without pedaling - like getting over a challenging hill.
Class II eBikes cannot be used in some regions. Off-road trail riding locations, like mountain bike trails, often permit only Class I eBikes. Class II eBikes with throttles cannot be used.
CLASS III EBIKES
Class III eBikes provide pedal assist at up to 28 MPH. These more powerful electric bicycles are capable of higher speeds than their Class I and Class II peers.
You’ll notice that some Class III eBikes have a throttle, and others do not. When Class III eBikes include a throttle, they are usually limited to 20 MPH maximum speed on throttle (even though the bike can go faster when the rider is pedaling). The Denago City Model 1 Series EBike falls into this category - up to 28 MPH on pedal assist, and up to 20 MPH on throttle.
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The three classes were invented California regulators. The Federal government has the overarching standard of what is an electric bicycle. They set this standard, just as they do for golf carts, motorcycles and automobiles, to define what, exactly, can operate on roadways.
The standard for e-bike falls under the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC standard is under part 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations. It is less than 750 watts, capable of producing less than one horsepower. There are no 'classes' of ebikes under this standard, although some Federal agencies have adopted them for trail riding (National Parks, etc.).
Some states and municipalities regulate ebikes by class, Florida isn't one of them at the state level (to my knowledge). In fact, Governor DeSantis has signed into law protections for ebikes.
No state defines how the wattage output is measured.
The seventy mph "bicycle' is an electric motorcycle by any standard.
The 'glitch' in the Federal definition is what, precisely, is 750 watts? Is is: peak, continuous, nominal? As in all Federal regulations if it is not defined and more than one definition is possible by a reasonable person then it is that definition.
So, how does this play into ebikes? The cheapest ones claim 750 watts but that is only at peak, aka momentary, output they are over rated. While the most expensive models effectively under rate their motor. There are also massive market realities in play here as well. Speed requires humongous batteries that are expensive and heavy.
Is all lost in this regulatory twilight zone? No. Just as a 500hp sports car is not five times as fast as a 100 hp economy box there are mechanical imitations in play