S-Pedelecs: Fast, safe and well insured – this is how it works!

S-Pedelecs: Fast, safe and well insured – this is how it works!

The market for S-Pedelecs, a special category of electric vehicles, has developed steadily in recent years. In 2025, around 10,000 S-Pedelecs were sold annually, which has remained constant since 2022. Compared to the sales figures for e-bikes, which were around 2.1 million in 2024, the S-Pedelec remains a niche product. These vehicles offer a motor-assisted speed of up to 45 km/h and are legally classified as mopeds.

Special requirements apply to the use of S-Pedelecs. This includes having a vehicle insurance license plate, the obligation to wear a helmet, and a class AM moped driving license, which can be obtained from the age of 16. Test.de reports that S-Pedelecs are equipped with a maximum rated power of up to 4,000 watts, while ordinary pedelecs only support 250 watts.

Insurance requirements and costs

S-Pedelecs require motor vehicle liability insurance, the costs of which start at around 30 euros per year from insurance providers such as Huk-Coburg, Allianz and R+V. Comprehensive insurance, often recommended to protect against theft, can incur additional costs of up to 70 euros per year. These bicycles have a high value in Germany, usually several thousand euros. Loud Bicycle XXL Helmets must also be compulsory; recommended helmets should have the ECE-R-22.05 certificate.

In addition, specific technical features are required for S-Pedelecs. These include a standard rear-view mirror, illuminated insurance license plates and safety elements such as yellow side lights and brake lights, which have been mandatory since 2018. Owning and driving these vehicles is subject to strict regulations aimed at ensuring road safety.

Role of S-Pedelecs in commuting

With an average commute of 16 to 17 kilometers, S-Pedelecs offer an attractive alternative to other means of transport for distances of over 10 to 12 kilometers. These models are becoming increasingly popular, especially among middle-aged men. Nevertheless, S-Pedelecs must observe special restrictions: They are not permitted on cycle paths, with a few exceptions such as in Tübingen or, since 2023, in North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.

Cycle highways are currently being discussed as a useful infrastructure for S-Pedelecs, as the exclusion of these vehicles from sustainable transport use is viewed as problematic. In 2017, S-Pedelecs only accounted for 1% of e-bikes sold, which corresponds to around 7,000 units, a sign that there is still potential for further growth.