We explain the difference between a 250W motor and a 500W motor.

Practical, economicaland ecological, they appeal to both urban cyclists and those who enjoy walking.

From this observation, many of you are wondering what the compliance rules are related to the VAE, and especially what the subtleties are.

When we talk about electric-assisted bicycles (EABs), we often hear the same question: "Is 250W enough? And if I have a 500W motor, am I still legal?"

The answer is simpler than you think… and that’s exactly what we’re going to clarify here!

So happy reading, dear Unikriders 😉

The basics: what does the law say?

In Europe, for a bicycle to remain in the VAE category and not become a moped, it must comply with two main rules:

• The assistance should cut out at 25 km/h.

• The continuous rated powerof the motor must be 250Wmaximum*.

*But be careful: the continuous nominal power is managed by the controller and limited to 250W (e-bike standard).

This means that a more powerful motor, such as a 500W, can perfectly equip an e-bike... as long as it is restricted by the controller.

Regarding our products, our Bafang motors have a maximum torque of 85 Nm(on flat roads, you won't see any difference).

250W vs 500W: What does it really change?

• 250W: this is the standard.

  • Ideal for everyday urban use.

  • Sufficient on flat ground or for small slopes.

  • Offers optimized autonomy, as consumption remains low.

• 500W: more muscular.

  • Provides more torque, therefore better thrust.

  • Allows you to maintain maximum torque compared to a 250W, especially when riding two-up, on a slope or with various weights (saddlebags, trailer, etc.).

So what's the point of a 500W motor then?

This is the question we are often asked.

The answer: comfort and efficiency.

A 500W motor provides smoother assistance, greater safety on hills and a feeling of power.

And above all: no legal riskif the controller limits the nominal power and assistance to 25 km/h.

To summarize: The 500W controller will limit the motor to 250W of power, but will benefit from the continuous torque of 500W, which is not found on the 250. To better understand this subtle nuance, here is a graph illustrating the two situations.

In conclusion:

The 250W motor remains an excellent choice and already meets the majority of daily needs. But the 500W brings a real plus in terms of comfort, responsiveness and ease in demanding conditions.

At Unikride, we believe that an e-bike must above all adapt to the reality of cyclists: weight, hilly journeys, load carried. This is why we offer bikes with these two motors😉