Environmentally friendly on the road – with electric cars, e-scooters, e-bikes and pedelecs

Micro electric vehicles within the meaning of the "Ordinance on the Participation of Micro Electric Vehicles in Road Traffic" (Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-Verordnung – eKFV) [3], which came into force on May 17, 2019, are motor vehicles that have an electric drive and a maximum design speed of 6 km/h to 20 km/h (Section 1 para. 1 eKFV). In addition, small electric vehicles must fulfill the following conditions in accordance with the eKFV:

1. There must be a steering or holding bar (this excludes so-called hoverboards and electric skateboards).
2. The rated power must not exceed 500 W (1,400 W if at least 60% of the power is used for balancing).
3. It may be a maximum of 700 mm wide, 1,400 mm high and 2,000 mm long.
4. The weight without rider must be less than 55 kg.

Various categorizations make differentiation on the market difficult, which is why the following four classes are used according to the study [1]:

Due to the immense growth in the number of pedelecs and e-bikes on our roads, it is essential that they are safe to use and pose no danger to the rider or their environment. To achieve this, the electronic components, from the battery, cables and wires to switches and the necessary battery charging station, must be tested for safety.

• You should therefore have the differences between the drive types explained to you in detail when purchasing. There are front, mid and rear motors, which are decisive for the ride characteristics. Each drive provides a different ride experience, which is why a test ride is recommended in advance.
• You may also need a second battery if you plan to use the bike a lot every day.
• Make sure that the battery, the charging station and the bike in general bear a recognized test seal (e.g. the VDE mark). Only these offer you tested safety and a long service life.
• In contrast, the CE marking is a legally required manufacturer's self-declaration and does not represent a quality mark from an independent test center.

Some time ago, purely electric cars were still considered "city cars" or "second cars", as their range could not keep up with that of a combustion engine. However, within a short space of time, technological developments have made it possible to achieve ranges of over 400 km+ on a single charge. To ensure that you too can travel far and comfortably in electric mode, you should check the range on a single charge before buying an electric car – even under real-life conditions such as with the heating or air conditioning switched on. If your electric car does not have an integrated charging station search function, you can use a variety of apps to plan a charging stop on your journey or even check your route for charging stations in advance. Thanks to a standardized Europe-wide plug adapter, charging is also possible abroad and on vacation.

Electric vehicles, both pure electric cars and hybrids, are primarily intended to help protect the environment. Compared to petrol and diesel, electricity from the "socket" is currently also cheaper. However, if you really want to contribute towards environmental protection, you should pay attention to the sources from which this electricity comes. In order to reduce climate-damaging carbon dioxide in the overall carbon footprint of the vehicle, the charged electricity must be generated from renewable energies.

The VDE Institute is also active in these areas for your safety. All relevant components of the various electric vehicles and the necessary charging stations can be tested and certified by us. From battery testing and environmental simulation tests to fault-free functionality. A glance at the VDE mark when purchasing your electric vehicle or charging infrastructure is enough to ensure that you are safe on the roads.

VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik e.V. and its affiliated companies (hereinafter each “VDE”) provide non-binding information on consumer protection topics. These publications are intended solely to raise general awareness of consumer protection in relation to electrotechnical products and issues. They expressly do not constitute professional or technical advice. The information is provided the best of one's knowledge and belief without having evaluated the actual conditions at a specific location or of a specific product.

While VDE makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the information is correct and complete, it cannot assume liability nor any warranty (neither explicitly nor implicitly) for the correctness, completeness or topicality of the content of the information provided.

The information may only be applied with the understanding that VDE cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage or loss of any kind. The use of the information provided does not release the user from the responsibility for his/her own actions and is therefore at his/her own risk.

Product-/Model-specific manufacturer specifications must be observed.