Originally Posted by
Bonzo Banana
I do live in the UK but much prefer the honest legislation of the USA where wattage is more clearly stated and not manipulated. How does a 250W e-mountain bike discharge a 500Wh battery in 40 minutes? The main issue is to me it seems expensive European designed ebikes get to use a 250W rating despite being really 900W and yet cheaper hub motor ebikes which consume less power are seen as illegal in wattage terms. My issue is it should be a level playing field for all.
The legislation here is often no more honest. Typically, they specify 750W, but give no specification for how that is measured. So it is only "honest" in the sense that it should be clear to anyone involved that they have a lot of fudge factor to play with. Frankly, I think the numbers are there mostly to placate the less interested public who mostly won't think it through. And that's why I consider it "dishonest" - even if it works favorably to my preferences.
As I've said elsewhere, I think regulating by wattage - at least in fractions of horsepower - is inferior to legislating based on speed and vehicle/rider weight.