EPAC charging systems – facts, positions and outlooks
The discussion about a standardised charging system for e-bikes (EPACs) is gaining momentum – but what is technically sensible, appropriate for the market and actually necessary?
Learn more here about the positions of the bicycle industry, transport associations and environmental organisations. The focus is on safety aspects, standardisation and infrastructure as well as on the benefits and limitations of public charging services.
Learn more here about the positions of the bicycle industry, transport associations and environmental organisations. The focus is on safety aspects, standardisation and infrastructure as well as on the benefits and limitations of public charging services.
Chargers
Which chargers are currently available on the market? What systems are there – and how far are we really with standardisation? The ZIV has prepared a fact sheet providing a technical overview of the current situation.
View the ZIV fact sheet »
View the ZIV fact sheet »
Standardised charging system
Could a standardised charging system for e-bikes help us achieve our goals set for sustainability and consumer friendliness? Some standardisation efforts may have potential – take public charging stations, for instance. However, the focus remains on battery safety and innovation in a dynamic market, whereby blanket regulation for private charging is not considered necessary.
View the ZIV position paper »
View the ZIV position paper »
Public charging
The ADFC, Infostelle Fahrradparken bicycle parking advisory service and the ZIV show jointly why the focus should be on parking facilities rather than charging stations – especially for commuting and everyday use.
View the joint position paper »
View the joint position paper »
Why the EnergyBus system is not the solution
In a position paper published in June 2025, the German environmental action association Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) calls for the EU-wide introduction of a mandatory standardised charger for electrically assisted bicycles (EPACs) based on the EnergyBus system. In the opinion of the ZIV, this is not practical, appropriate for the market or sustainable.
View the ZIV’s response to the DUH’s proposal »
View the ZIV’s response to the DUH’s proposal »