You seem to have good knowledge of eBike legislation sir, so what is your opinion of conversion kits?
Here's what I posted in my thread on the law:
Kit Motors
Be aware that hardly any of the above applies to kits or any home construction, the regulations only being for manufactured pedelecs. So both individuals and suppliers operate in a legal vacuum in which all try to supply and/or use as closely conforming to the complete e-bike law as they can, trusting that is acceptable. That has always worked throughout all of Europe and the UK without any mention of a possible prosecution, providing the three main points of the law are adhered to, i.e. 250 watts maximum assist, 15.5 mph maximum assist speed and power only when pedalling.
However, I can tell you the legal way of dealing with a kit, athough no-one has ever done it:
1) Buy and fit the motor kit.
2) Make an appointment at an approved vehicle testing station, paying the £55 test fee.
3) Most often the purpose of this is to get an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval), entitling it for use as a type approved motor vehicle. However your intention will be to get the inspector to agree that it meets the pedelec requirements so is exempt from being a motor vehicle and is approved as a pedelec.
However, if you get and accept SVA approval as well at the same time, as specified earlier in getting legal permission, you will be able to have a fully acting throttle on a post December 2015 pedelec with it still considered a bureaucracy free pedelec, a bonus. I repeat though, no-one to my knowedge has ever done this to create a kit pedelec so it's never been necessary, but it is the DfT specified correct way when creating any motorised vehicle from more than one vehicle or from parts.
What would be the point of a 'plate' or label 'durably fixed' stating the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle (a bicycle) if the bicycle was manufactured 20 years before I added a conversion kit?
No point at all. Only the date of the creation of an EAPC applies, before or since 1st January 2016.
I have a label on the motor, does that suffice?
The law says affixed to the EAPC in a prominent position, so on a motor might not suffice. The power in watts on a motor can be damning though, 251 watts or above can condemn it.
If you haven't seen it before, have a look at my thread on all EAPC legal matters:
LINK
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