DJI enters the electric bike arena
In July 2025, DJI, mainly known for its drones and stabilized cameras, officially unveiled its first system for electric bikes at Eurobike, called Avinox.
This mid-frame motor develops up to 1000 W of rated power and 120 Nm of torque, accompanied by an internal 800 Wh battery and a “surge boost” function to 1200 W for 30 seconds. It equips the Amflow PL model, an electric ATV developed jointly with DJI.
Specialist media have highlighted the quality of integration and digital tools – connected application, touch interface, personalized assistance – that DJI brings to a market hitherto dominated by German and Japanese players such as Bosch, Shimano, Brose and Yamaha.
Bosch defends a 750 W cap
A few weeks after Eurobike, Bosch eBike Systems, a subsidiary of German group Robert Bosch GmbH, reacted via ZIV (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband), the German bicycle industry association.
ZIV has published an official position recommending that a maximum limit of 750 W be set for electric motors on ECVs, to avoid any regulatory confusion over their classification.
According to ZIV, motors exceeding 750 W could call into question the European definition of an electrically assisted cycle, governed by standard EN15194 and Directive 2002/24/EC. In Europe, an electrically assisted bicycle (EPAC) is limited to 25 km/h of assistance and 250 W of continuous rated power. Beyond that, it becomes a Speed Pedelec (L1e-B) or moped, subject to registration and insurance.
Bosch is arguing in favor of aligning practices so as not to undermine the acceptability of electric bicycles to European authorities. The company currently equips the majority of electric bikes sold on the continent.
European associations up in arms
This recommendation prompted an immediate response from other European organizations, including LEVA-EU, CONEBI (Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry) and the German bicycle logistics association RLVD (Radlogistik Verband Deutschland).
LEVA-EU denounced this discriminatory approach against innovative manufacturers and users with special needs.
According to the organization, the power of an engine does not determine speed, but rather the ability to maintain the regulatory 25 km/h in demanding conditions: hilly routes, load transport, family or professional cargo bikes.
CONEBI has reminded the European Commission that the current legislative framework sets no maximum power limit as long as the bike respects the assistance cut-off speed. The reference to 250 W corresponds to a continuous power rating tested over 30 minutes, and not to peak power.
A technical debate turned political
Behind the technical dispute lies an economic confrontation.
With around three quarters of the European market for electric bicycle motors, Bosch’s hegemony is under threat from Asian players such as DJI, Bafang and Ananda. Several media outlets have accused Bosch and ZIV of seeking to curb this technological competition by recommending a 750 W cap.
For their part, DJI and its counterparts deny any infringement: their motors deactivate at 25 km/h and comply with the average power rating imposed by the standard. The challenge lies in defining this “continuous power rating”, which does not exclude momentary peaks well in excess of 750 W.
The European Union to decide
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) and the CEN-CENELEC TC333 technical committee on cycles have announced that the subject could be the subject of a revision of standard EN15194, particularly concerning methods for measuring continuous power.
A Commission working document dated October 2025 states that the ZIV and LEVA-EU proposals will be studied in the coming months to assess their impact on the safety, compliance and competitiveness of the European market. A decision could be taken as early as the first quarter of 2026.
A question of use rather than speed
All those involved emphasize that assistance speed remains limited to 25 km/h.
Whether a motor develops 250, 500 or 1000 W makes no difference to this limit: the extra power simply enables you to maintain speed under load, when climbing or starting up.
For urban and suburban transport, this power margin translates into essential comfort of use: a loaded longtail cargo or delivery bike needs to be able to start efficiently at a red light on a hill. RLVD points out that restricting engine power is tantamount to excluding some of the logistical uses of bicycles, which are essential to the carbon transition of cities.
A battle of image and balance
DJI’s Avinox case reveals two opposing visions of the market.
Bosch defends an approach focused on regulation, industrial consistency and strict compliance. DJI focuses on power, connectivity and user experience, following a digital logic.
Between these positions, European associations are calling for a balance to be maintained between innovation, safety and market openness. Brussels’ forthcoming decision could redefine VAE homologation criteria and define the boundaries of the European market in the face of Asian competition.
Whatever the outcome, this rivalry illustrates a turning point: motor power is no longer just a technical issue, but a major political and industrial challenge for the future of electric bikes in Europe.
Bibliography and sources
- Bike Europe – “DJI enters e-bike market with Avinox drive system”, July 3, 2025.
- CyclingIndustry.News – “DJI launches e-bike division and Amflow PL”, July 4, 2025.
- ZIV (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband) – Official press release, August 22, 2025.
- LEVA-EU – “LEVA-EU opposes 750 W e-bike power limit proposal”, August 28, 2025.
- CONEBI – Policy Paper to the European Commission, September 2, 2025.
- RLVD (Radlogistik Verband Deutschland) – Press release, September 5, 2025.
- CEN-CENELEC TC333 Work Programme – Q3 2025.
- European Commission – Internal working document (DG MOVE), October 14, 2025.
- Statista – “E-bike Drive Unit Market Share in Europe, 2024”.
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