Spoiled for Choice in the World of E-Mobility
While electrically assisted bicycles have long become popular among the German population and are an everyday sight on the streets, electrically powered motor scooters are rather exotic among electric two-wheelers. Let's take a look at both means of transportation. But first – also because terminology is still used somewhat loosely – let's focus generally on the possible means of transport in the area of e-mobility.
E-Bike, Pedelec, E-Scooter, Electric Scooter, E-Moped: What is What?
Because the various terms are still frequently used in a confusing way, let's first look at the exact definitions. After that, it will also become clearer where the advantages (and, correspondingly, the disadvantages) lie for the different electric two-wheelers:
Pedelec:
The simplest version, which is often also somewhat misleadingly referred to as an e-bike, is the pedelec. This is a bicycle with an additional electric motor that you can engage while cycling, but do not have to. The electric motor has a maximum of 250 watts and assists the bicycle up to a speed of 25 km/h. From a purely legal perspective, the pedelec is a bicycle; therefore, there is no helmet requirement (wearing a helmet is still more than sensible, though!) nor do you need a special driver's license or registration for this two-wheeler. There is also the special form S-pedelec; the "S" stands for "Speed" here. An S-pedelec assists up to 45 km/h and is therefore already considered a moped, which is why you need an insurance plate, insurance, at least a moped test certificate, and definitely a helmet for it.
E-Bike:
An e-bike is also a bicycle with electric motor assistance. The difference lies in how the electric motor is used. While with a pedelec the motor can only ever be switched on to assist pedaling, with an e-bike the electric motor can also be used without pedaling. The ADAC describes it as follows:
“Bikes that reach a speed of more than 6 km/h without pedaling are no longer considered bicycles. These are motor vehicles! This means that at least a license plate sticker and a moped test certificate or, for more powerful bikes, a driver's license of the appropriate class is required - otherwise you are committing a criminal offense!”
E-mopeds, e-scooters, electric scooters:
All of these are terms for the same electric two-wheeler with a typical motor scooter appearance featuring a seat and a footrest in the center. An e-scooter always has a maximum permissible speed of 45 km/h on public roads, a helmet is mandatory, and depending on age, a corresponding driver's license is required.
Advantages of an E-Bike or Pedelec
Let's limit ourselves to the electrically assisted bicycles known as pedelecs. That is, the e-bikes that you can use without an additional driver's license, insurance, or registration requirement. Initially bought mainly by older people, pedelecs have enjoyed growing popularity among younger people in recent years as well. We already took a closer look at this in our article on e-bikes. In summary, there are indeed very strong arguments for an electric bike:
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Thanks to the additional electric motor support, you are motivated to take longer trips. The extra motor assists you whenever you need a short break from pedaling or would have run out of breath on a small incline. In short: A pedelec acts as a motivator.
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You can use it to explore areas you wouldn't have ridden to on a normal bike without an electric boost.
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Elderly people, overweight individuals, or those with other health impairments in particular are motivated to get moving.
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The battery of the auxiliary motor can usually be detached and easily recharged inside your apartment.
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You don't need an additional driving test, nor do you need to take out extra insurance for your pedelec.
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Electric bikes with motor assistance are allowed to use standard bike paths.
Benefits of an e-scooter
An e-scooter is certainly something for fans and lovers of scooters in general. You should simply know that the riding experience is not comparable to that of an e-bike or pedelec. Therefore, it is also necessary to present an appropriate driver's license for the respective model. This varies depending on the rider's age, model, and speed. Benefits of a scooter are:
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It is definitely the significantly more eco-friendly option! That is certainly the main argument: no gasoline for power, making it low-emission or emission-free.
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It is affordable. You only pay a fraction of the cost of gasoline for charging energy. Insurance is also likely to be cheaper than for models with internal combustion engines.
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Depending on the model, you are allowed to carry a second person behind you on your seat.
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Depending on the model and charging port, charging at a standard wall outlet is possible.
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If you opt for a model with a removable battery, that is even better, as it allows you to charge the battery completely independently of charging stations.
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With a well-thought-out model, you can often get a second battery. This is especially advisable if the range of the primary battery is not particularly high.
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Lower repair costs than with a combustion engine. In general, an e-scooter is not as maintenance- and repair-intensive as a scooter with a combustion engine.
What should I look for when buying an e-scooter?
Think carefully about what distances you need your future electric motor scooter for. For short city trips or as a commuter vehicle with rather low mileage, a model that manages maybe 30 or 40 kilometers on a single battery charge is sufficient. The good thing about removable batteries is: You can always take a replacement battery with you and double your potential riding range in one go. Especially for inner-city use with many short trips, it is worth looking into electric motor scooters. In several cities or municipalities, the purchase of an electric motor scooter is supported with grant programs. If you regularly want to transport cargo/pull a trailer, pay attention to a powerful electric motor. You should also check the battery charging times if your e-scooter is going to be used heavily. Your electric motor scooter should have a removable battery, because currently, public charging facilities are not yet available everywhere.
The technology and range of e-scooters will continue to improve over the coming years, so that prices will eventually align with those of two-stroke models. And by then at the latest, the e-scooter will be a genuine, eco-friendly alternative to its gasoline-powered counterpart.
FAQ: E-Bike or Electric Motor Scooter
Do you need a driver's license for an e-bike?
Not for a pedelec up to 25 km/h – legally it is considered a bicycle. No driver's license, no insurance plate, no helmet requirement. Only starting from an S-pedelec at 45 km/h do moped test certificates, license plates, and helmets become mandatory. All e-bikes in our shop are pedelecs up to 25 km/h.
Does a pedelec need to be insured?
Not by law. It is usually covered by personal liability insurance – it's worth checking in advance. Homeowners/contents insurance often only offers limited coverage against theft, but specific bicycle insurance policies are available for this.
How far can you go on a single battery charge?
That depends on the energy capacity in watt-hours, not on promotional claims. Our City model B14 runs on 620 Wh, the folding bike B13 on 468 Wh. As a rule of thumb, you can calculate 8 to 12 Wh per kilometer – headwind, inclines, extra weight, and cold weather will increase this consumption.
How heavy is an e-bike?
Our folding bike B13 weighs around 26 kg with the battery. The motor and battery add about 7 to 10 kg compared to a standard bike. If you need to carry the bike regularly, you should consider a removable battery as a key purchasing factor: without it, the bike is noticeably lighter.
How much can you weigh on an e-bike?
For our models, the maximum user weight is 100 kg. This limit isn't in the manual without reason – it is tailored to the frame, brakes, and spokes.
How much electricity does a battery charge cost?
Just a few cents. A 620 Wh battery absorbs roughly 0.6 kWh; at around 35 cents per kWh, a full charge costs about 22 cents. Depending on the route, this will get you 50 to 70 kilometers.
How long does an e-bike battery last?
Usually, it lasts for 500 to 800 full charge cycles before the capacity drops to about 80% – which means several years under normal use. It ages more slowly if it isn't stored permanently fully charged or completely drained, and if it isn't kept in the cold during winter.
