Important news for electric motorcycle manufacturers | Source: Leva.eu | Author: Annick Roetynck | Electric motorcycles are subject to On Board Diagnostics (OBD) requirements in type-approval, however it is not clear which functionalities are/should be involved. To discuss and determine this, the Commission has decided to create a task force. LEVA-EU will participate in the task force but they need the cooperation and input of electric motorcycle manufacturers.
EU Regulation 168/2013 on the type-approval for the L-category does not exempt pure electric vehicles (‘EVs’) from ‘functional’ OBD requirements (except for L1 and L2). Apart from the exemption from the Type VIII test. Nevertheless, the text of the Regulation is ambiguous and contains inconsistencies when it comes to this topic.
The text of Annex XII of Regulation 44/2014 clearly indicates that only vehicles with combustion engines were considered during the drafting of that regulation.
To solve this issue the European commission had created a task force consisting of the Commission, member states and stakeholders, including LEVA-EU. The objective is to achieve a common interpretation of Regulations 168/2013, 44/2014 and 3/2014 on the topic of OBD and to eventually make the Regulation clearer.
It is obvious that all OBD requirements related to emission control systems and emission thresholds do not apply to electric L-category vehicles. The requirement to report the triggering of any operating mode, which significantly reduces engine torque would be applicable. Furthermore, there are relevant requirements related to access to OBD information, a connection interface, reporting on powertrain faults leading to significantly reduced torque and RMI.
LEVA-EU believes it is essential for electric L-category vehicle producers to be involved in this process and therefore calls upon them to contact LEVA-EU for further details and consultation:
Annick Roetynck, LEVA-EU Manager
tel. +32 9 233 60 05
email annick@leva-eu.com
About LEVA-EU:
Established in 2017, LEVA-EU is the only trade association in Europe to work exclusively for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). The Light Electric Vehicle Association in Europe (LEVA-EU) represents the strategic interests of light electric vehicle retailers, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers to promote the development, sale, and use of LEVs in the EU.
The organization aims at raising awareness and promoting the European LEV-sector vis-à-vis the European Institutions. LEVA-EU has around 40 members in 8 EU member states, Korea, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and China.
