The new Avinox M2S ebike motor’s headline 1,500W peak power and 150Nm torque stats eclipse most rivals. Reviews across the cycling media universe highlight how wild the motor and its predecessor feel on the trail, standing apart from other eMTBs to date.
YT has even gone as far as describing the ride quality of the motor in its new Decoy X as feeling “illegal”.
Given this – and against a confused backdrop of inaccurate reporting on electric bikes – it’s no surprise many riders are asking a simple question: are Avinox’s new motors legal?
Put simply, yes – Avinox’s motors are certified for legal use in all regions they’re sold in, and any confusion over their legal status generally hinges on a distinction many overlook.
But the colossal headline stats are still raising eyebrows, with an influential UK trade body calling for “restraint,” warning that high peak power ratings could invite unwanted scrutiny from regulators.
Peak vs continuous power
At the heart of the confusion is the difference between peak power and continuous (or rated) power. It’s the latter that matters in the eyes of the law.
As the charity Cycling UK highlights, the definition of what constitutes continuous power is “hazy”, but most sources define it as the level of assistance the motor can sustain over an extended period without overheating.
Crucially, no matter how high the headline peak output might be, the motor is legally classified by its continuous rated power. This is capped at 250 watts in the UK and EU, and support must cut out once the bike reaches 25.5km/h.
Avinox’s motor – and all other ebike motors from credible manufacturers – comply with these rules.
The same rules apply broadly in the US, although an Avinox spokesperson points out they are defined less consistently: “The U.S. federal government, along with the majority of states, has not provided clarification on whether the 750W designation refers to rated power or peak power, and local policies vary across states. Only a limited number of states, such as Pennsylvania and Maryland, explicitly defines 750W as rated power.
“In this context, Avinox is in compliance with the standards with a rated power of 250W.”
Regardless, the brand points out it has “received required certifications for all regions that it is available in, enabling users to ride legally”.
But if 250W is the continuous limit, why pursue such high peak power figures in the first place?
Avinox argues high peak power isn’t about increasing top speed – which remains capped by the 25km/h assistance limit – but about how the bike delivers assistance.
“Bike components are created to make riding easier, more enjoyable, and safer,” its spokesperson says.
“On the basis of the coexistence of power and speed limits, more power [means] less pushing and more comfortable riding, [it’s] not all about faster speeds.”
That rationale aligns broadly with our experiences in testing.
In back-to-back testing with the previous-generation motor, we found the M2S’s huge power increase didn't translate into an uncontrollable or overly aggressive ride, and that the huge power envelope offered “smooth, intuitive power delivery, strong climbing performance and enough output to make most terrain feel manageable”.
Uneasy compliance
Even though the motor’s compliance isn’t up for debate, those punchy headline figures are causing some unease in the industry.
Peter Eland, technical and policy director at leading UK trade body, the Bicycle Association, is clear that compliance with existing rules is non-negotiable: “As an industry our priority must be to safeguard the bicycle status of e-bikes – this is also key to maintaining access rights off-road [for cyclists].
“Responsible suppliers must, of course, fully comply with the well established 250 W continuous rated power and 25 km/h motor assist cut-off speed criteria for road legal e-bikes in the UK…”
Although he makes no suggestion Avinox’s motors are not compliant with the law, Eland fears pushing peak power too far could invite unwanted scrutiny. “As the UK trade body, we recognise concerns that peak power can be very high within the 250W continuous rating, and would support calls for restraint from both manufacturers and riders,” he says.
While some called into question his impartiality as a rider sponsored by Avinox’s key competitor, Bosch (which doesn’t produce a motor with power comparable to the M2S), mountain bike legend Hans Rey has also called for moderation from manufacturers. He wrote in an open letter published earlier this year: "Ideally, e-bike would mean one thing: A Class 1 pedal-assist bicycle with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph, no throttle, and a motor not exceeding 750 watts of peak power.”
However, Eland cautions against calling for a legal peak power limit because this “would involve opening up the well established UK e-bike regulations for review".
“This incurs significant risk of other unwelcome changes being imposed by over-anxious regulators… [such as] requirements for mandatory helmets or insurance,” he adds.
As Eland notes, any future changes would need to account for a wide range of users, including disabled riders and those using cargo bikes, where higher power can be essential, rather than excessive.
Eland notes the Bicycle Association is engaging with global calls for clearer ebike regulations: “In an industry with multinational brands and worldwide supply chains, it would be optimal if any evolution of the current e-bike category regulations happens at European or at a wider international level, rather than just in the UK.
“The BA is actively participating in the international industry debate on these issues, and in standardisation work via BSI, CEN, IEC and ISO to help develop the next generation of e-bike technical standards."
So, for now, the answer is straightforward: Avinox’s motors may feel outrageous, but by the letter of the law, these are still ebikes.
